President William Ruto has declared three days of national mourning after a fire claimed the lives of 17 pupils at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in Kieni West Sub-County, Nyeri County.
In the statement issued on Friday, September 6, the Head of State termed the loss of children of tender years in such a manner 'an unfathomable tragedy.'
The mourning period will commence on Monday, September 9, and conclude on Wednesday, September 11.
"That, during this period of national mourning, the Flag of the Republic of Kenya and that of the East African Community (EAC) shall be flown at half-mast at State House, all Kenyan Diplomatic Missions, Public Buildings, Public Grounds, all Military Bases, Posts, Stations, all Naval Vessels of the Republic of Kenya, and throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kenya, from dawn Monday, 9th September 2024 until sunset on Wednesday, 11th September 2024," the statement read in part.
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Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday evening announced that 70 pupils from Hillside Endarasha Primary School cannot be accounted for following the fire tragedy.
"We still have 70 Hillside Academy pupils who are unaccounted for, but that does not mean that they have perished or injured. We are praying and hoping for the best," Gachagua stated.
He added, "I am appealing to each and every parent who took their child to report to us so that we know where those children are."
According to the Ministry of Education, the school has a total enrollment of 824 students, consisting of 402 boys and 422 girls.
Of the 824 students, 156 boys and 160 girls are boarders, while the remaining students are day scholars.
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