17 pupils dead in fire disaster at Hillside Endarasha Academy, Nyeri

Seventeen pupils from Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County have lost their lives in a tragic fire that engulfed one of the school's dormitories.

The blaze broke out on Thursday night, instantly killing 15 students, while the 16th died while being rushed to the hospital. Details of the 17th student are still scanty.

Reports indicated that 14 other students sustained injuries in the fire.

Officials en route to the scene include the Deputy Director of the NPS Disaster Management Unit, DCI John Onyango, and the Senior Assistant IG and Director of the Homicide Unit.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

Kenya Red Cross confirmed the incident, stating, "Following the tragic fire incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri, the Kenya Red Cross, alongside a multi-agency response team, has been on the ground responding.

"Eleven children have been taken to Nyeri Provincial General Hospital. The scene is currently cordoned off by the police. Additionally, the Kenya Red Cross is providing psychosocial support services to the pupils, teachers and affected families and has set up a tracing desk at the school." 

Police spokesperson Resila Onyango added that pupils were burnt beyond recognition.

Nyeri County Commissioner Pius Murugu said that the school has 824 pupils, and the dormitory that caught fire had 152 learners in it.

Murugu reported that the dormitory fire broke out around 3 am this morning. The blaze quickly spread through the wooden structures, even though disaster management teams from the county government responded swiftly.

"Most of the structures in the school are wooden, which of course worsened the fire," he said.

A signage painted on a wall at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri. (Photo: Handout)

DCI Director of Homicide Martin Nyuguto is leading a team of investigators to determine the cause of the fire.

The Kenya Red Cross Society and police were also deployed to assist with tracing the dead and those missing.

KRCS head in the Mt. Kenya region, Esther Chege, said the desk will help parents identify their children as well as offer continuous counselling services.

‘‘In the tracing desk we will be able to get all necessary details, including those pupils in hospital, so that we can advise on how to access them,’’ she said.

President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua consoled the families of the victims, with the former directing police to expedite the investigations and provision of necessary resources.

According to the Ministry of Education, Hillside Endarasha Academy has a total of 824 pupils; 402 are boys while 422 are girls.

Basic Education PS Belio Kipsang revealed that of the total enrolment of 824 learners, 156 boys and 160 girls are boarders, while the rest are day scholars.

He is on the ground as part of the local multi-agency team to manage the situation.

“The Ministry of Education is currently working with the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and the Ministry of Health to manage the situation and ensure the injured learners are given the best medical attention,” Kipsang noted.

The PS, on behalf of the Ministry, sent its condolences to the parents, families and friends of the learners who lost their lives in this regrettable tragedy.

Kipsang revealed that Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, who had been on an official trip in China accompanying President William Ruto was on his way back to join local teams to ensure the situation is addressed with utmost urgency.

Giving an update, Chief of Staff Felix Koskei said that emergency services were still determining the total number of fatalities.

In terms of ongoing interventions, Koskei noted that various items were being dispatched at the institution.

They include 50 bags of rice, 50 bags of beans, 100 mattresses and 100 blankets.

“The Ministry of Health and the County Government Health Department are on-site assessing medical needs. The Pankaj Foundation has donated 50 first aid, and MP Shah Hospital is also sending medical consumables,” Koskei noted.

Meanwhile, a sombre mood engulfed the learning institution as parents who had been informed of the tragedy arrived at the school.

Wails of grief could be heard as some came to terms with the devasting news of those who had died.

Parents are still camping outside, waiting for updates.