The number of children who perished in a devastating fire at a school dormitory in central Kenya has risen to 21, as confirmed by government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura on Saturday. The tragic incident, which occurred on the night of August 29, 2024, has shocked the nation and left many families in deep mourning.
The fire broke out at Hillside Endarasha Primary School, which was housing 156 boys aged between 10 and 14. By Saturday, officials had accounted for more than 100 boys, but the search for the remaining students continues. The scene outside the school was somber, with journalists kept at a distance as government pathologists and morticians from Nyeri Provincial Hospital worked to identify the victims and manage the aftermath.
The dormitory was destroyed in the blaze, and the process of identifying the deceased is proving to be a lengthy one. Mwaura stated that some of the children were burned beyond recognition, necessitating a DNA identification process that could take several days. “These figures are still preliminary because the process is ongoing,” he explained. “It’s a DNA process that will take several days.”
Kenya’s President William Ruto has declared three days of national mourning to honor the victims and provide time for reflection. The fire’s cause remains under investigation, with police working diligently to determine the source of the blaze.
The sight of the devastated dormitory on Friday evening brought heartbreaking scenes as anxious parents were allowed to view the remains of the building. Many were overcome with grief as they left the scene, their worst fears realized.
The government has issued a call for increased vigilance and adherence to boarding school safety guidelines, emphasizing that dormitories should be spacious, equipped with multiple exits, and free of grills on windows to ensure easy evacuation in emergencies. The tragic event has highlighted ongoing concerns about safety standards in Kenyan boarding schools, which have been plagued by similar incidents in the past.
School fires in Kenya are often attributed to arson, drug abuse, and overcrowding, with some students setting fires during protests over school conditions or workloads. This incident echoes a tragic history, including a 2017 fire in Nairobi that claimed the lives of 10 high school students and the 2001 Machakos County fire that killed 67 students.
As Kenya grapples with this latest tragedy, the focus will be on improving safety protocols and providing support to affected families and communities.
In other news – 8 protesters on bail following anti-government protest
In a notable development yesterday, the High Court granted bail of US$200 each to eight Gokwe residents who had been detained following their protest against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent appointment as Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The eight individuals were arrested on August 16, 2024, in connection with their vocal disapproval of President Mnangagwa’s new role. Read More
