A fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County, Kenya, claimed the lives of 21 boys, authorities confirmed on Saturday.
The fire broke out in the dormitory around midnight on Thursday, engulfing the building while over 150 boys, aged between nine and 13, were sleeping.
Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura confirmed that 19 bodies were recovered from the site, and two boys died in the hospital.
Of the 156 boys in the dorm, 139 have been accounted for, either in hospitals or at home.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, with Kenya’s top prosecutor directing police to determine whether negligence or recklessness contributed to the tragedy.
The charred remains of the victims were found in the collapsed dormitory, and DNA testing will be used for identification.
As the nation mourns, another fire broke out at Isiolo Girls High School on Saturday night, though no injuries were reported.
President William Ruto has declared three days of national mourning and vowed accountability.
Safety concerns at Kenyan schools are under renewed scrutiny following this devastating incident.
