Court orders dormitories at Nyeri's Hillside Endarasha Academy shut down

The High Court in Nyeri has ordered the immediate closure of the boarding facilities at Hillside Endarasha Academy due to serious safety concerns for students, just weeks after a tragic fire claimed 21 lives at the school.

The ruling, issued on Friday, October 11, was in response to petitions from the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and other concerned groups.

Justice Issac Ondigi said that while the school can remain open, the dormitories pose a significant risk to the health and safety of the pupils.

"I do not find it necessary to bar the reopening of the school, noting that the academic term is near its end," the judge stated.

However, he highlighted the credible threat to the welfare of the minors, ordering that no students be housed in the boarding facilities until thorough assessments are conducted.

This ruling follows a devastating fire on September 5, 2024, that engulfed one of the school's dormitories in Kieni Constituency, resulting in the tragic deaths of 21 boys and injuries to over a dozen others.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, prompting calls for accountability from the school administration.

Despite reopening just days after a month-long closure, the school's boarding facilities are now facing an uncertain future.

The Ministry of Education had previously approved the school's reopening after quality assurance officers assessed its safety.

However, the court's ruling has raised questions about the validity of that assurance, as significant structural concerns remain.

The dormitory that caught fire was housing 152 boys at the time, just four short of its maximum capacity.

While renovation efforts were underway, the court's decision now requires the school to comprehensively address all safety issues before any students can return to the dormitories.

Furthermore, the court directed the school to submit detailed reports on health and safety measures and the structural integrity of the dormitories by October 16, 2024.

Non-compliance could lead to stricter penalties or an extended closure of the boarding facilities.

The tragedy sparked a public outcry, with organisations like the KHRC and the Elimu Bora Working Group advocating for stronger student protections. These groups, and concerned parent David Karani, filed the petition, arguing that the school was ill-equipped to ensure student safety despite ongoing repairs.

In response to these concerns, Jane Njogu, the Nyeri County Director of Education, previously assured parents that significant repairs were being made.

"They are moving very fast; they have done a lot of constructions and reconstructions to ensure that the learners are comfortable when they come back to school," she stated.