A tragic fire at a primary school dormitory in Kenya has resulted in the deaths of 18 students, with dozens more injured and unaccounted for.
According to NPR, the incident occurred on Thursday night at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in Nyeri County, located approximately 125 miles north of Nairobi in the country's central highlands.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua reported that 27 students have been hospitalized, while an alarming 70 children remain unaccounted for. The dormitory, which housed over 150 boys between the ages of 10 and 14, was primarily constructed of wooden planks, contributing to the rapid spread of the fire.
Nyeri County Governor Mutahi Kahiga informed journalists that rescue operations were impeded by muddy roads resulting from recent rainfall in the area. This complication further exacerbated the already dire situation, potentially affecting the timely evacuation and treatment of affected students.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, as stated by police spokesperson Resila Onyango. Authorities are working diligently to determine the origin and circumstances surrounding the blaze, which has devastated the school community and left many families in anguish.
Local officials, including Nyeri County Commissioner Pius Murugu and representatives from the education ministry, have confirmed that the affected dormitory housed more than 150 boys. The mixed-day and boarding private school, with a total enrollment of 824 students, now faces the daunting task of accounting for all its pupils.
President William Ruto expressed his dismay over the incident, describing it as "devastating" in a statement posted on the social media platform X. He has instructed relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the fire, emphasizing that those responsible will be held accountable.
Deputy President Gachagua urged school administrators to ensure compliance with safety guidelines recommended by the education ministry for boarding schools. This call to action highlights the ongoing concerns regarding fire safety in Kenyan educational institutions.
Belio Kipsang, the education ministry's permanent secretary, stated:
We are asking the parents who picked up their children and the community to support us as we consolidate the numbers to ensure that we account for every child who was boarding in this school.
This collaborative effort between authorities and the community underscores the urgency of locating all students affected by the tragedy.
School fires have been a recurring issue in Kenyan boarding schools, often attributed to factors such as arson, drug abuse, and overcrowding. A recent education ministry report highlighted these concerns, shedding light on the complex challenges facing the country's educational system.
In some instances, fires have been intentionally started by students protesting against heavy workloads or poor living conditions. The country's deadliest school fire in recent history occurred in 2001, claiming the lives of 67 students in Machakos County.
The education ministry has established guidelines recommending that dormitories be spacious, equipped with multiple exits, and fitted with essential safety features such as fire extinguishers and alarms. However, it remains unclear whether these guidelines were fully implemented at Hillside Endarasha Primary School.
