Nyeri County Commissioner Pius Mirigu told local media that the fire was reported at 11 p.m. on Thursday, September 5, 2024, and was contained by 3 a.m. after emergency teams were mobilized.
Sixteen students were burned beyond recognition, while one died enroute to hospital. The cause of the fire is yet to be established.
The school was shrouded in gloom as parents, guardians, and government officials struggled to come to terms with the heartbreaking tragedy.
Hillside Academy has 824 pupils â€" 402 boys and 422 girls â€" of whom 316 are boarders, while the rest are day pupils.
President William Ruto led the nation in mourning the young lives cut short by the night inferno.
"Our thoughts are with the families of the children who lost their lives in the fire tragedy at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County. This is devastating news. We pray for a speedy recovery for the survivors," said the Head of State, currently attending the China-Africa Summit in Beijing, in a statement.
He noted that he had instructed relevant authorities to "thoroughly investigate this horrific incident."
"Those responsible will be held to account," he stated, adding, "The government, under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of the National Government, is mobilizing all necessary resources to support the affected families."
Ruto's deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, urged school administrators to ensure that safety guidelines recommended by the Ministry of Education for boarding schools are being followed.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
