A tragic fire broke out at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in central Kenya, killing 17 boys and seriously injuring 14 others who were sleeping in their dormitory. The ages of the victims ranged from 9 to 13 years, as they were in grades 4 to 8. The dormitory housed a total of 156 boys, and the death toll was expected to rise as survivors received treatment at various hospitals. Vice President Rigathi Gachagua stated that 70 pupils were still unaccounted for, with the possibility that some had been taken home by parents during the night. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the authorities, with necessary action promised to be taken.
The Ministry of Education reported that Hillside Endarasha Primary School had a total of 824 students, with 402 boys and 422 girls. Of the students, 156 boys and 160 girls were boarders, while the rest were day scholars. The school is situated approximately 170km north of Nairobi. Government agencies were mobilized to uncover the truth behind the deadly incident, with Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki assuring full accountability for those responsible. Police, forensic analysts, health agencies, and the National Disaster Operation Centre were all working to provide support and aid to affected families and the school community while reviewing security measures at schools.
President William Ruto expressed devastation at the news of the tragic fire and promised that those responsible would be held accountable. He instructed relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident and ensure justice is served. The Kenya Red Cross provided medical supplies to treat burns and offered psychosocial support services to affected pupils, teachers, and families. The injured children were taken to Nyeri Provincial General Hospital, with the scene of the incident cordoned off by police.
School fires are unfortunately frequent in Kenyan boarding schools, where many students reside to have more time for studying and avoid long commutes. Some fires have been attributed to arson attacks, including incidents in which multiple students lost their lives. Previous tragedies include a fire in a Nairobi school in 2017, a fire at a girls’ high school in Nairobi’s Kibera neighborhood in 2016, and a deadly dormitory fire at a school in Homa Bay County in 2012. In 2001, 58 pupils perished in a fire at Kyanguli Secondary School near Nairobi. The government is working to address the recurring issue of school fires and enhance security measures to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.
