Investigations into the tragic fire at Endarasha Hillside Academy are nearing completion, with the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) set to release its findings soon. The fire, which occurred on the night of September 4, 2024, claimed the lives of 21 boys, killing 19 on the spot and leaving several others severely burned. The fire broke out in the boys’ dormitory, where 156 students were staying that night.
In a recent statement, Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, confirmed that the investigations are almost complete and that the DCI is in the final stages of analyzing the cause of the fire. Kanja mentioned that he had recently discussed the progress of the investigation with DCI officials, and the findings will be made public soon. The public is eagerly awaiting the results, which will shed light on the tragedy and potentially hold those responsible accountable.
The fire initially sparked media speculation, with early reports attributing the cause to an electrical fault. However, a parent of one of the survivors claimed that the fire had started near the main entrance of the dormitory before spreading rapidly throughout the building. This initial information led to assumptions that faulty electrical systems might have contributed to the incident.
Two days after the fire, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, directed the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. He called for an examination of whether negligence or recklessness had played a role in the fire, with a warning that anyone found culpable would face prosecution. This directive prompted the DCI to assemble a team of forensic experts and fire safety specialists to investigate the cause and determine whether there was any criminal negligence involved.
Meanwhile, Kenya Power, the electricity supplier to the school, refuted the theory that the fire was caused by an electrical fault. The company’s preliminary investigations showed no connection between the fire and the school’s electrical systems. Duncan Machuka, Nyeri County’s Kenya Power business manager, stated that the power line supplying electricity to the school was stable and low voltage at the time of the incident. He added that all electrical installations at the school were intact, and their analysis of the protection system, from the meter box to the substation, showed no faults in the network that could have led to the fire.
Despite this, the DCI pressed on with its investigation, deploying forensic teams to work alongside fire safety experts and other stakeholders to get to the bottom of the incident. The detectives have been focusing on various possible causes, from arson to structural issues within the dormitory that may have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
The tragic loss of life has deeply affected the local community and the entire country. The incident has raised serious questions about the safety standards in schools, particularly regarding the adequacy of fire prevention measures in dormitories. The authorities are under pressure to ensure that those responsible, if found negligent, are held accountable, and that measures are put in place to prevent such disasters from occurring in the future.
As the investigation draws to a close, the public eagerly awaits the official findings from the DCI. The release of these findings will likely bring closure to the families affected by the tragedy, while also providing important lessons on fire safety and school management. It is hoped that the investigation will help prevent similar incidents from occurring at other schools, ensuring the safety of students across the country.
