Hillside Endarasha Academy to Reduce Boarding Pupils After Tragic Fire

David Kinyua, the owner and director of Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County, announced a reduction in the number of boarding students at the school following a devastating fire incident. The tragedy, which occurred on September 6, 2024, claimed the lives of 21 pupils, sending shockwaves through the local community and sparking a national debate on the safety of boarding schools in Kenya.

In a statement delivered on Tuesday, Kinyua expressed his deep sorrow over the tragic loss of the young lives, noting that the decision to reduce the number of boarders was aimed at creating more space within the institution and ensuring the safety and well-being of the remaining students. “We do not have enough room for the boarders, so pupils living near the school will now become day scholars,” he said. “This will allow us to accommodate fewer boys safely.”

Significant Reduction in Boarders

The school currently accommodates 330 boarding students, comprising 164 boys and 166 girls. However, Kinyua revealed that the number of boarders will now be reduced to 195, with 87 boys and 98 girls remaining as boarders. The rest of the students will transition to day schooling. The director emphasized that this change is essential to create more space and alleviate the overcrowding issues that had previously been identified.

Hillside Endarasha Academy’s reduction in boarders comes as part of broader safety reforms in response to the fire that gutted a dormitory and left 21 pupils dead. According to Kinyua, the school has already begun repairs, including the removal of the dormitory that was razed and the redesign of paths leading to the area. “We want to ensure that no pupil will have to relive the trauma by passing through the site of the fire,” he explained.

Community Support and Assistance for Affected Pupils

In addition to reducing the number of boarders, Kinyua announced that parents and education officials have been invited for a meeting and prayer session, led by local religious leaders, as part of the school’s efforts to help the community heal from the tragedy. “We are asking for prayers from everyone to help us through this difficult time,” Kinyua said.

The school has also established a special committee tasked with helping the pupils who lost personal items in the fire. Well-wishers have stepped forward to offer support, ensuring that affected students will not need to purchase any school essentials. “The affected children will receive everything they need,” Kinyua said, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of assistance from the community.

The fire incident has sparked a national conversation on the safety of boarding schools, with some calling for the abolition of boarding facilities altogether. Many parents and educators are questioning whether these institutions are adequately equipped to prevent and respond to emergencies. The government is under increased pressure to enhance safety regulations and ensure that all schools comply with fire safety standards.

Government Response and Investigation

In the aftermath of the fire, Government Spokesman Issac Mwaura confirmed that all the pupils affected by the incident had been accounted for. “All the girls are currently at home with their parents, and the 164 boys have also been accounted for,” Mwaura stated.

Mwaura described the loss of the 21 pupils as a catastrophe “beyond imagination.” He confirmed that 19 bodies were recovered from the charred dormitory, while two boys succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at the hospital. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, with authorities seeking to determine whether any safety regulations were breached.

A Nation in Mourning

As the school and community grapple with the devastating loss, the incident has become a somber reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by students in boarding schools. Hillside Endarasha Academy, which has operated for 13 years, has never experienced such an event before, and Kinyua noted that the tragedy has shaken him personally. “I have been with these children for over a decade, and I never expected anything like this to happen,” he said.

While repairs are underway and steps are being taken to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again, the scars left by the fire will undoubtedly remain for a long time. The school and the broader community are calling for prayers, unity, and continued support as they navigate this heartbreaking chapter.