The Ministry of Education has issued an update on the tragic dormitory fire incident reported at Hillside Private Mixed Primary School in Endarasha, Nyeri County that left at least 17 learners dead.
The fire outbreak happened in the early hours of Friday, September 6, with preliminary reports indicating that some pupils were burnt beyond recognition.
National Police Service (NPS) Spokesperson Dr. Resila Onyango confirmed the incident to The Kenya Times on Friday morning.
Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang in a statement revealed details of the Endarasha Hillside School while confirming that the incident claimed the lives of 17 learners and left fourteen others injured.
PS Kipsang said that he is currently on the ground leading the local multi-agency team to manage the situation.
The PS added that the school has a total enrolment of 824 comprised of 402 boys and 422 girls.
“The Ministry of Education deeply regrets to announce a tragic fire incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni West Sub County, Nyeri County, last night, that has claimed the lives of 17 innocent learners. The fire incident left 14 other learners injured and are being attended to in various hospitals,” read part of the statement.
Of the total enrolment of 824 learners, 156 boys and 160 girls are boarders while the rest are day scholars. All the 156 boys’ boarders were accommodated in the ill-fated dormitory.
CS Ogamba on his way back from China
At the same time, PS Kipsang said that the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Julius Migos Ogamba, who has been on an official trip in China is on his way back to join local teams to ensure the situation is addressed with utmost urgency.
Also Read: Nyeri School Fire: 16 Pupils Dead in Night Inferno
The Ministry of Education has confirmed that it is coordinating with security agencies to investigate the root cause of the fire incident at the school in line with President William Ruto‘s directive.
Also, PS Kipsang said that the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, and Ministry of Health are coordinating to manage the situation, and ensure the injured learners are given the best medical attention.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura had earlier in a statement announced that the 14 learners who suffered injuries were rushed to Mathari Mission Hospital and Nyeri County Referral Hospital for treatment.
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According to Mwaura, the affected dormitory housed boys from Grades 4 to 8.
“Emergency services are still determining the final number of fatalities, with updates to follow as more information becomes available,” said Mwaura.
Govt issues update on interventions made after Nyeri Hillside Primary School fire
While addressing ongoing interventions, the government spokesperson said that 50 bags of rice and 50 bags of beans are enroute to the site via Special Programs.
Mwaura added that 100 mattresses and 100 blankets are also being dispatched, with an estimated arrival time of 1300hrs.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Health and the County Government Health Department are on-site assessing medical needs.
Various organizations have pledged donations including the Pankaj Foundation which has donated 50 first aid kits set to be sent to the site today, and MP Shah Hospital which is set to send medical consumables.
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