The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has disclosed that it has deployed a team of forensic experts to conduct an inquiry into the fire incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County.
In a statement on Wednesday, September 11, the DCI noted that investigators are working closely with fire experts, the Central Region Disaster Management Committee, and other relevant government agencies and stakeholders to investigate any acts of omission or commission that may have contributed to the tragedy.
"Independent reports from these entities will help our investigations into the cause of the fire," DCI remarked.
The school had 330 learners enrolled as boarders, with 166 females and 164 males. Eight boys had not reported back to school, leaving 156 boys in the dormitory, which was razed by fire on the night of Thursday, September 5.
According to DCI, all the 166 girls are safe with their parents and 140 boys, including those who had not reported to school, are also safe with their parents.
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The directorate disclosed that two boys who had been admitted with injuries succumbed, bringing the death toll to 21 after 19 bodies were recovered from the razed dormitory.
"DNA samples have been collected from the families who lost their loved ones , a process that experts from the government chemist and the DCI forensics team spearheaded. The goal is to match the bodies, which were badly burnt beyond recognition, to their loved ones," DCI explained.
The directorate added that the autopsy for the 21 bodies was set for Thursday, September 12, and that the investigating team was recording statements from persons of interest.
On Wednesday, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced that the government will conduct a nationwide inspection of all schools to assess the level of compliance with the guidelines of the Safety Standards Manual for Schools.
