Endarasha fire tragedy: It's three days of national mourning

President William Ruto has declared three(3) days of national mourning in honour of 17 pupils who perished during an inferno incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni Constituency, Nyeri County, on Thursday night.

In his presidential proclamation statement on the incident, Dr Ruto directed that the Kenyan and East Africa Community (EAC) flags be flown at half-mast at all State institutions during the stipulated period of mourning.

"As a solemn testament to the indelible mark left upon the nation's consciousness by the spirits of the seventeen departed children, Kenya shall observe a three-day period of national mourning," Dr Ruto said on Friday evening.

"During the period, the flags 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," he added.

The President 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," President Ruto said.

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," Dr Ruto 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.

The incident occurred at the boys' dormitory.