Authorities in Kenya have announced that DNA testing will commence on Monday to identify the bodies of children who tragically died in a fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy, a boarding school in Nyeri County. The fire, which broke out late Thursday night, is believed to have claimed the lives of at least 21 children, most of whom were around nine years old. According to officials, some of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition, making identification through DNA necessary.
The fire erupted at approximately 23:00 local time in a dormitory housing 156 boys. Local residents rushed to assist in rescue efforts, as firefighters struggled to reach the scene due to poor road conditions. While some students were rescued, 17 children remain unaccounted for. Concerned parents and relatives have camped outside the school, demanding answers as they await updates on their missing children.
Government officials have called on those involved in the rescue operation to return any children they might have sheltered to assist in tracing efforts. The Red Cross has set up a tracing desk at the school and is offering support to the families of the victims.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Kenya’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, issued a statement urging investigators to explore whether negligence or recklessness played a role in the tragedy. Ingonga remarked that the incident “evokes bad memories of other similar school fire incidents” in the past, which were often linked to poor safety standards.
Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura, speaking at the scene on Saturday, described the incident as “a catastrophe beyond our imagination” and said the nation is mourning the loss of young lives. He also urged the media to be cautious when reporting on casualty numbers, as the DNA identification process could take several days.
Criminal investigators and government pathologists have sealed off the site for analysis as authorities continue to piece together what happened. Kenya’s President William Ruto has declared a three-day period of national mourning, set to begin on Monday, to honor the victims of the tragedy.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua visited the school on Friday, offering condolences to the grieving families and pledging the government’s full support in the investigation.
This fire adds to a troubling history of fatal school fires in Kenya. In 2022, several students were arrested after a dormitory in western Kenya was set ablaze. In 2017, 10 students died in an arson attack at Moi Girls High School in Nairobi. The deadliest school fire in Kenya’s history occurred more than 20 years ago in Machakos County, where at least 67 students lost their lives.
A report by Kenya’s auditor general four years ago revealed that many schools lacked proper fire safety measures, with buildings not meeting government safety standards. The latest tragedy is expected to reignite calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in schools across the country.
