Endarasha Academy: William Ruto Declares 3 Days Of National Mourning In Honour Of Fire Victims

• President William Ruto declared a three-day mourning period from September 9 to September 11 to honour the 17 pupils who died in the Hillside Endarasha Academy fire
• The national flag and the East African Community (EAC) flag will be flown at half-mast at all public institutions and Kenyan diplomatic missions worldwide during this period
• Ruto expressed deep sorrow over the loss and extended heartfelt condolences to the affected families, calling the tragedy an "unfathomable" loss
• He said the period of mourning would serve as a solemn tribute to the memory of the young victims

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - President William Ruto has announced a three-day national mourning period to honour the 17 children who tragically lost their lives in a dormitory fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy.

In a solemn proclamation on Friday, September 6, Ruto expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the young students, aged between 9 and 13, who perished in the fire.

The head of state extended heartfelt condolences to the affected families, calling the tragedy an "unfathomable" loss.

The head of state decreed that in sympathy and honour of the memory of the innocent lives lost and those who were injured, the country would go into a three-day period of mourning.

"As a solemn testament to the indelible mark left upon the nation's consciousness by the spirits of the 17 departed children, Kenya shall observe a three-day period of national mourning," the head of state declared.

What will Kenyans do during mourning of Endarasha fire victims

Ruto further decreed that the national flag and the East African Community (EAC) flag would be flown at half-mast at all public institutions, military bases, and Kenyan diplomatic missions worldwide.

He explained that the period would run from Monday, September 9, to Wednesday, September 11, 2024.

"During this period of national mourning, the flag of the Republic of Kenya and that of the East African Community (EAC) shall be flown at half-mast at State House, all Kenyan diplomatic missions, public buildings, public grounds, all military bases, posts, stations, all naval vessels of the Republic of Kenya, and throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kenya, from dawn Monday, September 9, 2024 until sunset on Wednesday, September 11, 2024," the president said.

Ruto vows to take action

Earlier, Ruto sanctioned the Ministry of Interior to expeditiously probe the fire tragedy that befell the school.

The president, while commiserating with the school and the affected families, suggested the fire broke out due to a supposed laxity on the side of the school.

Ruto ordered that whoever is found to have slept on their job be held to account.

What you need to know about Hillside Endarasha Academy

• The burnt dormitory housed 156 boys at the time, all of whom were boarders; the school has a total enrolment of 824 students, with 316 boarders
• TUKO.co.ke shared moving images as parents braved the early morning cold to get firsthand information on the whereabouts of their children
• Kenyans were saddened by the tragedy that befell the school, taking to social media to express their emotions
• Education CS Julius Migos Ogamba cut short his China trip after the tragic fire

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.