smartschoolboy9 documentary :In a heart-wrenching tragedy, at least 17 students have lost their lives and 13 more have sustained serious burn injuries following a devastating fire at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in central Kenya. The blaze erupted late Thursday night in the school’s dormitory located in Nyeri County, leaving the community in shock and grief.
The fire has caused extensive damage, with the victims’ bodies burned beyond recognition, according to police spokeswoman Resila Onyango. The primary school, which serves around 800 pupils aged between five and twelve, is now a scene of mourning as survivors are treated in local hospitals. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities on the ground assessing the damage and beginning their inquiries.
President William Ruto described the incident as “devastating” and has vowed that those responsible will be held accountable. “I instruct relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this horrific incident. Those responsible will be held to account,” Ruto stated on social media platform X.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged school administrators to adhere strictly to safety guidelines recommended by the Ministry of Education. The Kenya Red Cross has been actively involved, providing psychosocial support to affected families, pupils, and teachers. They have also established a tracing desk at the school to assist with the aftermath of the fire.
The school, situated approximately 170 kilometers (106 miles) north of Nairobi, has been cordoned off by police as they continue their investigation. The tragedy echoes previous incidents in Kenyan boarding schools, which have seen several deadly fires over the years. Notably, a similar fire in 2016 claimed nine lives at a girls’ high school in Nairobi’s Kibera neighborhood, and in 2002, 58 pupils perished in a dormitory fire at Kyanguli Secondary School.
As the investigation unfolds, the community and nation grapple with the loss and the urgent need for enhanced safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
