Editor's Review

17 pupils died following a fire incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy on Thursday night. 

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has directed Hillside Endarasha Academy parents who picked up their children following the Thursday night fire to report to the command and logistics center.

Addressing the media on Friday, September 6, Kindiki said the government wants to account for all children who were in the school.

“All parents who picked their children must report to the command and logistics center so that we can begin the reconciliation of accounting,” said Kindiki.

The Interior CS also directed any person who gave refuge to a Hillside Endarasha Academy pupil to avail them.

Kindiki noted that the pupils need medical support and counseling following the tragic incident.

“On behalf of the government, we are appealing to any person who might be giving refuge to a child, to avail that child so that we can be able to account for our children. Those children also require counseling and medical support therefore they should be produced,” Kindiki remarked.

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri.

The Thursday night incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy left 17 pupils dead and 14 others injured.

President William Ruto earlier directed a thorough investigation to be conducted to ascertain the cause of the inferno.

He also condoled with the families of the pupils who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to those who sustained injuries.

"Our thoughts are with the families of the children who have lost their lives in the fire tragedy at the Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County. This is devastating news.

"We pray for a speedy recovery to the survivors. I instruct relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this horrific incident. Those responsible will be held to account," Ruto remarked.

According to the Ministry of Education, the school has a total of 824 students. Of these 402 are boys while 422 are girls.

Out of the 824 learners, 156 boys and 160 girls are boarders while the rest are day scholars. All the 156 boys were accommodated in the dormitory that was razed down on Thursday night.