Seventeen pupils dead in Kenyan School dormitory fire

A tragic fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy in central Kenya has claimed the lives of 17 pupils, according to the Ministry of Education. The blaze, which occurred late Thursday night, also left 14 children hospitalized with injuries. Over 150 pupils were inside the dormitory, which houses children aged between five and 12 years old.

The cause of the fire is still unknown, and President William Ruto has ordered a full investigation, calling the incident “horrific” and vowing to hold those responsible accountable.

A team of investigators, including forensics experts, has been deployed to the school in Nyeri County, about 150km from Nairobi.

Rescue efforts were challenging as the fire spread quickly through the timber-built dormitory.

Local residents, along with firefighters, helped in the rescue, with some children found hiding under beds.

Several bodies were reportedly “burnt beyond recognition,” and the death toll may rise.

The Kenya Red Cross is offering trauma counseling to affected families and students.

The fire highlights ongoing concerns about safety in Kenyan boarding schools, where similar incidents have occurred in recent years.

In 2017, an arson attack at Moi Girls High School in Nairobi killed 10 students, and Kenya has seen a rise in dormitory fires, often suspected to be arson-related.