DNA testing is set to commence in Kenya on Monday to identify the boys who tragically lost their lives in a devastating school dormitory fire last week. The blaze, which occurred at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County, central Kenya, claimed the lives of 21 young students who were asleep at the time.
Nineteen bodies were discovered in the charred remains of the dormitory, while two others died in the hospital. However, 17 students are still unaccounted for, according to government spokesman Isaac Mwaura. The bodies, all aged between nine and 13, were burned beyond recognition, leading to a harrowing wait for families seeking to identify their loved ones.
Nyeri County Commissioner Pius Murigu announced that forensic identification of the remains would begin on Monday, with affected families advised to visit Naromoru Hospital for the process. Chief government pathologist Johansen Oduor stated that postmortems are scheduled to start on Tuesday.
In response to the tragedy, President William Ruto declared three days of national mourning, beginning Monday. Flags will be flown at half-mast across public buildings, military bases, and embassies from dawn on Monday until sunset on Wednesday.
President Ruto has called for a thorough investigation into the fire, emphasizing the need for accountability and improved safety measures in schools. “This incident compels us to ensure accountability in all schools across the country and to take every action we can to safeguard the lives of our school-going children,” Ruto said.
The Kenya Red Cross is providing psychological support to affected families and students, setting up counseling tents near the school.
The fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy has reignited concerns about school safety in Kenya, a country that has seen numerous similar incidents over the years. Over the weekend, additional fires were reported at Isiolo Girls High School and Njia Boys High School, with some injuries but no casualties reported.
Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga has instructed an investigation into whether negligence or recklessness contributed to the Endarasha fire, highlighting the need to address safety violations.
The Kenya National Gender and Equality Commission noted that the dormitory was reportedly overcrowded, violating safety standards. The NGO Vocal Africa also raised concerns about children’s safety rights in educational institutions following the tragic incident.
