The devastating fire that engulfed Hillside Endarasha Academy on Thursday night has claimed 21 lives. The tragedy has left many heartbroken.

Initial reports indicate that the fire started in one of the dormitories, housing boys aged between 12 and 17 years.

Most of the victims were trapped inside the burning building, unable to escape the fast-moving flames.

During a press briefing at the crime scene, government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said a total of 19 bodies had been recovered at the site and other two died in hospital, rising the number to 21.

Out of the total 156 boys in the dormitory at the time, 139 had now been accounted for, either at home or in hospital, Mwaura said.

“It is a catastrophe beyond our imagination, it is truly devastating the nation to lose such a number of young and promising Kenyans. Our hearts are heavy,” Mwaura stated during the press briefing.

The cause of the inferno is not yet known but Directorate Of Criminal Investigations, homicide investigators and forensic experts are at the school, where parents , guardians and the media were denied access, terming it as a crime scene.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki paid a visit to the school on Friday September 6, 2024.

However, most parents say that their visit has not done any good as most of them are still not aware of the whereabouts of their children.

“37 out of the 152 boys who were sleeping in the burnt dormitory have been reunited with their parents while 27 others are admitted in hospitals.

“The whereabouts of 86 pupils has so far been established,” he said.

Gachagua also warned Kenyans against spreading false information and speculating on the destiny of those that had not been accounted for yet or even the root cause of the fire.

The deputy president urged Kenyans to be patient awaiting the conclusions of the investigations.

Meanwhile, the chairperson of Kenya Private Schools Association in Nyeri county, Lawrence Gachoya, condoled with parents and the management of the school saying the tragedy had sent shockwaves countrywide.

“We came to bring our condolences to the director of the school and parents. The best we can do is ensure the school continues for the benefit of the learners,” he said.

“The fact that people living around the school came out in such large numbers in solidarity with parents and the school is an indication of how important it is to them,” he added.

Gachoya also said, as directors of private schools, it is their duty and responsibility to take all precaution to ensure the safety of learners.

“Private schools are not in competition with the government. We partner with it for the good of the Kenyan child,” he concluded.

Renson Ingonga the Director of Public Prosecutions has given orders to the police to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the possible causes of the fire tragedy.

“Assess whether or not the tragedy may have resulted from negligence and recklessness of any responsibility holders.

“Any person found culpable towards the fire tragedy shall be expediently taken through the due process of a criminal trial,” he stated.

Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor who was also present during the briefing, said the postmortem will begin on Tuesday this coming week.

Several survivors have been rushed to Nyeri County Referral Hospital, where they are receiving treatment for serious burns and smoke inhalation.

According to eye-witness accounts, the fire broke out around 11 p.m. while most of the students were asleep.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, with preliminary suspicions pointing to an electrical fault.