All pupils of Hillside Endarasha Academy accounted for: Gov't
Hillside Endarasha Academy. Photo/James Murimi
The government has announced that all the boys’ population at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni Constituency, Nyeri County, have been accounted for, following a tragic fire incident that claimed the lives of 21 pupils.
In a press statement sent to newsrooms on Monday, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said the school comprised 330 boarders who included 164 boys and 166 girls before the inferno broke out on Thursday night in the boys’ dormitory.
Mr Mwaura said two(2) of the boys died while receiving treatment at the hospital while 19 other bodies were recovered from the burnt dormitory.
“All girls are at home with their parents while all the 164 boys have been accounted for. The parents of the 19 learners who succumbed are yet to identify their bodies. They will proceed to Naromoru for autopsy and processing. They will also receive mental health and psychosocial support,” he said.
The Spokesperson assured Kenyans that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) together with the government pathologist are working round the clock to complete a scientific analysis.
Mr Mwaura said the Ministry of Health will partner with the National Emergency Operations Centre (NDOC) and National Government Administrative Organs (NGAO) in building capacities of the communities to prepare, mitigate and respond to emergencies and disasters countrywide.
On Friday evening last week, President William Ruto said the tragic incident has compelled the country to ensure that there is accountability in all learning institutions countrywide and take the necessary action to secure learners from such calamities.
“No child should lose their life in a place that is meant to be a safe haven for education, growth, and social development,” Dr Ruto said in his presidential proclamation statement on the incident.
He assured the affected families of the government's support for the injured children.
“As your President, I pledge that the difficult questions that have been asked such as how this tragedy occurred and why the response was not timely will be answered; fully, frankly, and without fear or favour,” the President said.
“All relevant persons and bodies will be held to account, and we shall do all that is required to ensure that, as far as possible, we shall never again find ourselves in the grips of such a tragedy,” he added.
