At least 17 children have tragically died after a fire broke out at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County, Central Kenya. The fire, which started around midnight, engulfed the dormitory where students aged between five and twelve were sleeping. Police confirmed the fatalities and reported that several others were hospitalized with severe injuries.
The school’s dormitory, housing children with an average age of nine, was completely destroyed. National police spokesperson Resila Onyango stated that identifying the bodies has been difficult due to the severity of the burns. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities still searching for the cause of the fire and warning that more bodies could be found.
Kenyan President William Ruto expressed his condolences to the grieving families and assured the public that a thorough investigation would hold those responsible accountable. The Kenyan Red Cross and other agencies are providing support to the affected families, students, and staff.