A devastating fire at the Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County, Kenya, has claimed the lives of at least 17 students and left 14 others injured. The fire broke out late Thursday, September 5, 2024, in the male dormitory of the private boarding school, which housed more than 150 boys. The bodies of the victims were reportedly “burnt beyond recognition,” according to Resila Onyango, a spokesperson for the Kenya National Police Service.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigations are underway to determine how the blaze started. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua confirmed that 70 students are still unaccounted for, though it is uncertain whether they perished or were taken by concerned parents without notifying the school authorities.
President William Ruto offered his condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, vowing to hold those responsible accountable. Emergency response teams, including the Kenya Red Cross, are providing support to the victims, their families, and the school staff. They are also involved in a search and rescue operation and have set up a tracing desk to account for missing students.
This tragic incident is part of a troubling trend in Kenya, where school fires—often caused by arson—are relatively common. In 2017, nine students were killed in a similar fire at a Nairobi boarding school, with authorities later confirming it was an act of arson.
