Director of Hillside Endarasha Academy, David Kinyua, was questioned by a multi-agency team, including experts from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) forensic and homicide units, over the fire that claimed 21 lives on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
Kinyua underwent a 6-hour interrogation as experts from various agencies, including the Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Education, Kenya Power, and EPRA, assessed the school’s infrastructure, focusing on electrical systems.
Detectives, led by homicide director Martin Muguto, questioned Kinyua on the sequence of events leading to the tragedy, with investigations narrowing it down to a possible electrical malfunction.
According to sources privy to the investigation, the technician who set up the electrical unit was also interrogated by the multi-agency team over the functionality and likely possibility of faulty sockets and outlets, light fixtures and fittings, extension leads, portable heaters, outdated wiring, and old or faulty appliances.
Kenya Power’s Position on Hillside Endarasha Academy Fire
Earlier on Tuesday, the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) said the Hillside Academy fire was not caused by a fault in its source and distribution network. The utility company insisted that internal investigations revealed power supply was stable at the time of the incident.
Kenya Power reiterated that its systems were stable during the incident, ruling out a fault in the power supply. Attention shifted to the school’s internal electrical fittings.
“At the time when the fire incident occurred, supply was stable on this line with no reported incidents. All Kenya Power installations, including the meter, supply cable, earthing, low voltage and high-tension fuses, and the transformer, were intact,” Kenya Power Nyeri Business Manager, Duncan Machuka, said.
More individuals, including the school headteacher and a security guard, are set to be questioned as investigations continue.
Emergency counselling sessions were organized for affected parents, staff, and students.
The enhanced investigations come a day after President William Ruto ordered a speedy conclusion of the probe into the tragedy.
Also Read: Hillside Endarasha: How a 12-Year-Old Boy Saved His Two Friends from Deadly Fire
Ruto’s Directives
Speaking after a meeting on September 9, Ruto directed the Ministries of Interior and Education to ensure that school regulations are followed in boarding institutions.
Additionally, Ruto declared three days of national mourning in honor of the pupils who perished in the Hillside Endarasha School fire tragedy.
The President announced that from Monday, September 9, 2024, to Wednesday, September 11, the Kenyan and East African Community (EAC) flags would be flown at half-mast at State House, all Kenyan diplomatic missions, public buildings, and posts, among others.
Also Read: Red Flags that Fueled Fire at Hillside Endarasha Dormitory
“On behalf of a nation in mourning, I extend our deepest condolences to all our fellow citizens who have lost precious loved ones in the incident. As they mourn and grieve, we commit them to the love and grace of the Almighty, for only He can give them the strength and healing they need in this darkest hour of their lives,” Ruto said.
Ruto also said the government will deploy resources to ensure the injured children receive the highest level of care.
Further, all relevant individuals and bodies will be held to account to ensure such a tragedy never reoccurs.
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