A fire in a school dormitory in Kenya has tragically claimed the lives of 17 students and seriously injured 13 others, according to police reports on Friday. Authorities fear that the death toll may increase. The blaze occurred on Thursday night at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in Nyeri County, and the cause of the fire is under investigation, said police spokesperson Resila Onyango.
“We are investigating the cause and will take necessary action,” Onyango stated. President William Ruto described the incident as “devastating” and pledged that those responsible would be held accountable. He posted on the social media platform X, “I instruct relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this horrific incident. Those responsible will be held to account.”
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua emphasized the need for school administrators to adhere to safety guidelines provided by the education ministry for boarding schools. School fires are not uncommon in Kenyan boarding schools, where students often stay to avoid long commutes and to focus more on their studies.
In some cases, such fires have been ignited by students protesting against workload or living conditions. Notably, in 2017, a school fire in Nairobi resulted in the deaths of 10 high school students.