Mombasa County to conduct fire, safety inspections across all schools after Hillside tragedy

Mombasa County is set to roll out a comprehensive fire and safety inspection across all educational institutions starting Monday.

This move comes in the wake of a devastating fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County on Friday, which claimed the lives of at least 21 students.

Governor Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir made the announcement while addressing attendees at the close of the Seventh Day Adventist camp week at Tononoka Grounds in Mvita Sub-County on Saturday.

He urged all schools to comply with the county's fire and safety guidelines and revealed that the inspections would cover both private and public institutions, including Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres, primary and secondary schools, and universities.

“We must ensure that our schools are safe spaces for our children. Starting next week, our officers will conduct a thorough safety audit in all learning institutions. This assessment is crucial to identifying any existing vulnerabilities and mitigating them promptly."

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir during the conclusion of the Seventh Day Adventist camp week in Tononoka Grounds, Mvita Sub-County on September 7, 2024. (X/Abdulswamad Nassir)

The governor also noted that the initiative would provide basic fire safety training to school staff to help them better respond in case of emergencies. "We will offer guidance and practical training to school operators to strengthen their preparedness against fire outbreaks," he added.

The fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy, which erupted in a boys' dormitory housing 156 students, has left the country reeling in shock. As of Saturday evening, the death toll had risen to 21, with several students still missing. The incident has heightened concerns over fire safety standards in schools nationwide.

Governor Nassir called on religious congregations and the community at large to pray for those affected by the tragedy and urged schools across the county to participate fully in the upcoming inspections.

“We cannot afford to lose more lives due to preventable incidents,” he emphasized. “We must take proactive steps to safeguard our children.”