Editor's Review

The fire claimed at least 18 lives, with 13 students having been admitted to hospital.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has instructed the acting Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli, to deploy investigators at the tragedy-stricken Hillside Endarasha Academy.

A total of 18 learners at the school perished, and at least 13 others were injured after fire gutted their dormitory on Thursday at midnight, September 5.

In its communique, DPP Renson Igonga appreciated that the tragedy could be a result of negligence as witnessed in similar disasters that occurred previously.

He, therefore, sanctioned the police to carry out a professional probe to establish the cause of the tragic fire.

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Parents at the tragedy-stricken Hillside Endarasha Academy where 18 learners died after a fire incident.

Igonga implied that the responsibility holders might have foregone the set guidelines to ensure the safety of the young learners, hence the tragedy.

"In line with the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, which guarantees every child's right to education, safety, and protection from all forms of harm, the DPP has directed the Inspector General of Police to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the deadly fire and assess whether or not the tragedy may have resulted from negligence and/or recklessness of any responsibility holders," read the issue in part.

The ODPP directed the police top supply the file to it upon the completion of the probe for the appropriate action to be taken.

He said anyone found responsible will be held to account in accordance with the law.

This came a day after President William Ruto ordered a thorough investigation following the fire incident.

In a statement on Friday, September 6, the Head of State maintained that anyone responsible for the incident will be held into account.

The president further 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 for the survivors. I instruct relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this horrific incident. Those responsible will be held to account," Ruto remarked.

He added that the government, through the Ministry of Interior, would mobilise all the necessary resources to support the affected families.