In a heartbreaking incident, 21 children lost their lives in a devastating fire that engulfed a school dormitory in central Kenya. The blaze, which erupted on Thursday night, razed a dormitory housing 156 boys aged 10 to 14 at the Hillside Endarasha Primary School.
As officials work tirelessly to account for dozens of missing boys, the grim task of removing the young victims’ bodies has begun. The tragedy has prompted a nationwide response, with President William Ruto declaring three days of mourning.
The scale of the disaster is still unfolding, with some children burnt beyond recognition. Authorities are employing DNA testing to identify the victims, a process expected to take several days. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
This horrific event has reignited concerns about boarding school safety in Kenya. The government is now urging school administrators to enforce guidelines that ensure spacious dormitories with multiple exits and unobstructed windows.
Sadly, school fires are not uncommon in Kenya, often linked to overcrowding, drug abuse, or student protests. This latest tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved safety measures in educational institutions across the country.
As the nation mourns, anxious parents await news of their children, and the community grapples with this profound loss, calls for action to prevent future disasters grow louder.