Late Thursday evening, on September 5th, a devastating fire broke out in a dormitory at Hillside Endarasha Primary School, located in central Kenya’s Nyeri County, claiming the lives of at least 18 students. The fire swept through the building, which housed more than 150 boys aged between 10 and 14.
The rapid spread of the flames was attributed to the dormitory’s construction using wooden planks, a common building material in the area that is highly flammable.
By Friday morning, on September 6th, anxious parents gathered at the school, desperate to learn the fate of their children. Authorities have confirmed that 37 students were safely reunited with their families, but 70 children remain unaccounted for. Kenyan Vice President Rigathi Gachagua has urged community members who may have provided shelter to some of the children to come forward to help in locating the missing students. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
The tragedy has raised serious concerns regarding the safety measures and protocols followed in Kenyan schools. The education ministry’s guidelines for school dormitories emphasize the need for spacious accommodations, with two doors on each end, an emergency exit in the middle, and windows without grills to ensure a clear escape route in case of a fire. Additionally, the guidelines require fully serviced fire extinguishers and alarms in accessible locations. However, it remains unclear whether these safety standards were adhered to at Hillside Endarasha Primary School, as the area around the dormitory has been cordoned off for investigation.
In response to the incident, President William Ruto declared three days of national mourning starting Monday, September 11th. During this period, flags will be flown at half-staff across the country in honor of the children who lost their lives in this tragic event. The President also called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire, emphasizing the need for accountability and the implementation of stricter safety measures in all educational institutions to prevent such disasters in the future.
The fire at Hillside Endarasha Primary School is a grim reminder of Kenya’s deadliest school fire in recent history, which occurred in 2001 and claimed the lives of 67 students. That incident prompted the government to introduce stringent safety regulations for school buildings, but the tragedy on Thursday suggests that much more needs to be done to ensure the safety of children in schools across the country.
The affected families and the entire community are now grappling with profound grief and uncertainty. Parents, teachers, and local officials are calling for immediate improvements in school safety protocols, and there is growing pressure on authorities to ensure compliance with the regulations. This latest incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive safety audits in schools, particularly those constructed from highly flammable materials like wood.
The local community in Nyeri County has been deeply shaken by this event, with many offering prayers and condolences to the bereaved families. Churches, mosques, and local organizations have come together to provide support, including counseling services for the grieving parents and surviving students who witnessed the tragedy. As investigations continue, the focus remains on finding the missing children and supporting the families affected by this unimaginable loss.
Kenya’s education authorities have announced plans to review and reinforce safety protocols in schools across the nation. This may include stricter inspections, mandatory fire drills, and the provision of additional safety equipment. The government has also expressed its commitment to working with international partners to enhance fire safety awareness and training among teachers, students, and school staff.
While the nation mourns, there is a collective call for action to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again. The safety of students in learning environments is paramount, and this heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done to protect the youngest members of society.
As the country begins its three days of mourning, flags will fly at half-staff, and Kenyans are encouraged to reflect on the lives lost and the urgent need to prioritize safety in all schools. The tragedy at Hillside Endarasha Primary School has not only highlighted the vulnerabilities within the current system but also sparked a nationwide demand for change to safeguard the future of all children.
