Grief and heartbreak filled the air on Friday evening at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County, as anxious parents were allowed onto the grounds to witness the aftermath of the devastating fire that took 17 young lives the night before.
70 learners remain unaccounted for after the tragic fire incident, with 27 hospitalized and 37 returned to their parents.
Accompanied by Kenya Red Cross officials and psychologists from the Ministry of Health, the parents and guardians made their way through the remnants of the dormitory, still charred from the fire.
According to reports, officials said the affected pupils were in grades four to six and some were burnt beyond recognition.
As they emerged from the scene, most were visibly moved to tears and distraught, while others sought solace in the few personal items they had recovered from the ruins. The devastating sight left many heartbroken and struggling to come to terms with the loss.
Many parents waiting at the school expressed frustration over the lack of information about their children’s whereabouts before being granted access.
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70 learners are still unaccounted for after the tragic fire incident; 27 are hospitalized, while 37 have returned to their parents.
“We have been here since morning, and no one is telling us where our children are. We are told to register at the gate and wait inside a room for updates,” Daniel Macharia, a guardian told local media at the scene.
A classroom had been designated for parents, where psychosocial support was being provided by professionals.
Security officers had cordoned off the area, and forensic experts from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had taken control of the scene to investigate the cause of the fire.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addressed the parents’ concerns, stating, “We are about to begin the challenging process of bringing the parents to the scene. I have spoken with some of them, and we have prayed together,” before permitting them to visit the site.
The cause of the nighttime fire in the dormitory is yet to be determined.
President William Ruto on Friday declared three days of national mourning in honour of the 18 students who tragically lost their lives.
