Kenyan/Panjab Post
A devastating fire erupted in a school dormitory in Kenya late Thursday, resulting in the deaths of 17 students and leaving 13 others with severe burns, according to local police reports. The blaze occurred at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in Nyeri County, where investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire, said police spokesperson Resila Onyango.
The dormitory, which housed over 150 boys, was constructed primarily from wood, which contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. The school, situated 200 km north of Nairobi in Kenya’s central highlands, serves children up to the age of 14 and has a total student population of 824.
In the aftermath, many anxious parents are waiting at the school, desperate to find their children among the survivors. President William Ruto expressed his profound sorrow over the tragedy, pledging a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible. He took to social media platform X to convey his condolences and demands for action.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on school administrators to ensure compliance with safety guidelines established by the Ministry of Education. Recent reports suggest that fires in Kenyan boarding schools are frequently linked to issues such as overcrowding, arson, and drug abuse.
Historically, Kenyan boarding schools have faced fire incidents, some sparked by student protests. Notably, in 2017, a fire set by a student resulted in the deaths of 10 high school students in Nairobi. The worst incident occurred in 2001, when a fire in a Machakos County dormitory claimed the lives of 67 students.
