Endarasha Fire: Parents Await DNA Results as Investigation into Tragic Dormitory Blaze Continues

Parents of the children who perished in the Hillside Endarasha Academy fire are enduring an agonizing wait as the process of DNA analysis to identify the 19 bodies retrieved from the gutted dormitory is underway. The dormitory fire, which occurred last Thursday night, has plunged the community into mourning and sparked urgent calls for enhanced safety measures in boarding schools across the country.

The tragic incident unfolded at the Hillside Endarasha Academy when a fire broke out in the dormitory housing 164 pupils. While most were safely accounted for, 19 boys tragically lost their lives, and two others are currently receiving specialized treatment in the hospital. Nyeri County Commissioner and acting Central Region Commissioner, Pius Murugu, confirmed that the process of identifying the bodies and matching their DNA with the parents’ samples is complex due to the state of the remains. Parents who have been unable to locate their children have gathered at the Naromoru Level 4 hospital mortuary, where the DNA collection process is taking place.

Commissioner Murugu clarified that initial reports indicated 156 boys were sleeping in the dormitory on the night of the fire; however, it has been confirmed that 164 boys were present. The school has a total of 824 pupils, with 330 of them being boarders, including 166 girls, while the rest are day scholars. As the community grapples with the loss, the school has been cordoned off, and investigators from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations are working to determine the cause of the fire.

The tragic event has prompted calls for improved safety measures in boarding schools. Esther Chege, Central Region Red Cross Coordinator, described the incident as deeply unfortunate and assured affected families of continued support during this difficult time. The Red Cross has set up a help desk to provide counseling and support services to the families, learners, and the community. “We are giving counseling to the parents, learners, and the community continuously. We have set up a tracing desk where we will connect the parents to those in hospitals,” Chege said, emphasizing the need for community support.

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Local leaders have also expressed their condolences and called for action. Area MCA Warutere Ndegwa extended his sympathies to the affected families and acknowledged the swift response by both national and county governments, despite challenges posed by poor road conditions that delayed emergency response. The tragedy has shaken the entire county of Nyeri, prompting President William Ruto to declare three days of national mourning, during which the national and East African flags will be flown at half-mast.

Residents of Nyeri have called for the implementation of stringent safety measures in schools to prevent such tragedies in the future. Speaking to KNA, Mophat Kariuki, a bodaboda rider, emphasized the importance of safety in schools, urging the government to enforce policies that mandate adequate safety protocols. “It’s incredibly painful for a parent to lose a child, especially one whom they took to school with high hopes. Ensuring students’ safety should be a top priority,” Kariuki said, advocating for accessible fire extinguishers, trained personnel, and secure yet accessible exits in dormitories.

Joyce Mwangi, a businesswoman, echoed these sentiments, calling for consistent support from the government beyond crisis moments and stressing the need for better infrastructure to facilitate emergency response. “If the county government had constructed better roads, we would have had a better chance of saving more children,” she remarked, highlighting the broader systemic issues that need addressing.

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The tragedy at Hillside Endarasha Academy serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for vigilance and enhanced safety measures in educational institutions. As investigations continue, the community remains united in grief, hoping for answers and change to prevent such heart-wrenching incidents in the future.