DNA testing confirms identities of 21 pupils killed in Hillside Academy fire

Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor has revealed that the DNA of all 21 children who died in the Hillside Endarasha Academy fire has been matched with their parents.

At a briefing held at Naromoru Hospital on Wednesday, Oduor said the results obtained verified that the samples from the victims' bodies corresponded to those provided by their families.

“We are pleased to announce that we have received the DNA results for the 21 victims of the fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy. All 21 students have been identified through DNA matching. The report from the Government Chemist confirms that the samples taken from the victims' bodies were successfully matched with those provided by their parents, verifying their identities,” he said.

He noted that efforts are now focused on coordinating with the families of the deceased.

Oduor also said teams from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the Kenya Red Cross and counselling services are working to facilitate the reunions and assist with burial arrangements.

“We are in the process of reaching out to the families. A team comprising the DCI, Red Cross, and counsellors is working to facilitate the reunion of the families with their loved ones. We are also preparing to assist with the arrangements for the burial of the deceased,” he said.

The fire, which ravaged the boys' dormitory at the school, affected 164 pupils housed there. Government reports indicate that 143 of the students are safe, while three were receiving medical care. Tragically, 21 students lost their lives in the incident.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki assured parents of the affected pupils that the government would fully support them and pledged that justice would be served and the truth about the cause of the fire uncovered.

Officers from the DCI who had been stationed at the school to gather information on the cause of the fire have since handed over the school to the board of management for reconstruction.

The school's director, David Kinyua, confirmed that they had been allowed to begin repair works on the burnt dormitory and that they would be reopening soon.

Acting Central Regional Commissioner Pius Murugu said the school will be allowed to reopen once it meets the Ministry of Education’s safety requirements.

The ministry’s guidelines stipulate that dormitory beds must be spaced at least 1.2 meters apart, corridors must be a minimum of two meters wide, and dormitory doorways must be at least five feet wide and must open outward.

Each dormitory should have two doors at each end and one in the middle, clearly marked as an emergency exit. Fire safety regulations require that each dormitory be equipped with a fire extinguisher at the exit and fire alarms. Teachers and administrators must conduct regular spot checks, and doors must close from the inside.

Murugu indicated that the school might reopen within two weeks if these requirements are met.

Burial arrangements for the victims are expected to be completed by next week, with the school’s reopening planned for the following week, pending consultations with parents and stakeholders.

He noted that priority will be given to junior secondary school students who are preparing for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA).