At least 17 children have died following a fire that swept through their dormitory at Hillside Endarasha Academy in central Kenya, according to police reports released Friday.
The fire broke out around midnight in the primary school dormitory in Nyeri County, consuming the rooms where the children were asleep. The school, which serves approximately 800 pupils aged between five and twelve, was severely affected.
National police spokesperson Resila Onyango confirmed the deaths, stating, “There are 17 fatalities from this incident, and several others have been hospitalized with serious injuries.” The victims’ bodies were reported to be burnt beyond recognition, with an average age of around nine years old.
In addition to the fatalities, 16 individuals were seriously injured and have been rushed to a nearby hospital. Onyango noted that more bodies may be recovered as the scene continues to be processed. The exact cause of the fire is still unknown, but an investigation is underway.
President William Ruto has expressed his condolences, stating, “Our thoughts are with the families of the children who have lost their lives in this tragic fire.” He has called for a thorough investigation into the incident and assured that those responsible will be held accountable.
Located about 170 kilometers (100 miles) north of Nairobi, Hillside Endarasha Academy is receiving support from the Kenyan Red Cross, which is assisting a multi-agency response team. The Red Cross has been providing psychosocial support to the pupils, teachers, and affected families.
School fires have been a recurring issue in Kenya and East Africa. In 2016, a fire at a girls’ high school in Nairobi’s Kibera neighborhood killed nine students. In 2001, an arson attack at Kyanguli Mixed Secondary School in Machakos district resulted in 67 deaths. The 1994 fire at Shauritanga Secondary School for Girls in Tanzania claimed 40 lives and injured 47 others.
The investigation into the Hillside Endarasha Academy fire continues as authorities work to uncover the cause and ensure justice for the victims.
