Tragic Boarding School Fire Kills 17 Students, Injures 14 Others

In a devastating incident late Thursday night, a fire at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in Nyeri County, Kenya, has resulted in the deaths of 17 students and injuries to 14 others. The blaze, which engulfed the school’s boarding facilities, has been described as catastrophic, with some students reportedly burnt beyond recognition.

Police spokeswoman Resila Onyango, speaking on Kenya’s Hot 96 FM, confirmed the casualties and noted that additional rescue teams are en route to the scene. “We have lost 17 pupils in the fire incident while 14 are injured,” Onyango stated. “Our team is currently on site.”

President William Ruto has expressed his condolences and demanded a thorough investigation into the incident. In a statement posted on his X account, he said, “Our thoughts are with the families of the children who have lost their lives in the fire tragedy at Hillside Endarasha Academy. This is devastating news. We pray for the speedy recovery of the survivors and instruct relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this horrific incident. Those responsible will be held to account.”

The Kenyan government, under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of the National Government, is mobilizing resources to support the affected families during this tragic time.