At Least 17 Children Killed in School Fire in Kenya

At least 17 children lost their lives in a fire that swept through their primary school dormitory in central Kenya, police reported on Friday, September 6. The fire occurred at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County around midnight. The school has about 800 students, aged between 5 and 12 years old.

“There are 17 fatalities from this incident, and others were taken to the hospital with serious injuries,” said Resila Onyango, the national police spokesperson. She added that the victims’ bodies were severely burned, making identification difficult. According to the police, the average age of the victims was around nine years.

Several other children were injured, with 16 of them in serious condition and transported to a nearby hospital. Onyango stated that more bodies might be found as the investigation continues. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but a formal investigation has been launched.

Kenyan President William Ruto expressed his sympathy for the families affected by the tragedy. He ordered a full investigation into the incident and vowed that those responsible would be held accountable.

The school is located about 170 kilometers north of Nairobi, in Nyeri County. The Kenyan Red Cross is helping a multi-agency team on the ground, offering psychological support to the pupils, teachers, and families affected by the tragedy.

This incident is part of a series of deadly school fires in Kenya and East Africa. In 2016, nine students were killed in a fire at a girls’ high school in Nairobi’s Kibera neighborhood. In 2001, 67 students died in an arson attack at Kyanguli Mixed Secondary School in Machakos district. Two students were charged with the murders, while the school’s headmaster and deputy were found guilty of negligence.