Hillside Endarasha Fire: Burnt Dormitory Was Housing 156 Boys, Ministry Of Education

• The Ministry of Education has expressed sorrow following the tragic fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy, which claimed the lives of 17 students
• The fire occurred close to midnight on September 5, leaving 14 students injured and receiving treatment in various hospitals
• The dormitory housed 156 boys at the time, all of whom were boarders; the school has a total enrolment of 824 students, with 316 boarders
• Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said he is leading a multi-agency team on the ground and conveyed the ministry's condolences

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

Nyeri - The Ministry of Education has expressed deep sorrow following a tragic fire incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni West sub county.

The Thursday, September 6 fire incident is reported to have started close to midnight, claiming the lives of 17 learners.

The devastating inferno also left 14 other students injured, all of whom are currently receiving medical attention in various hospitals.

In a statement, the ministry revealed that the dormitory housed 156 boys at the time of the incident.

According to the ministry, of the school's 824 students, 156 boys and 160 girls are boarders, with the remainder attending as day scholars.

All 156 boys were accommodated in the dormitory that was consumed by the fire.

"The fire incident left 14 other learners injured and are being attended to in various hospitals. The school has a total enrolment of 824. Of these, 402 are boys while 422 are girls. Of the total enrolment of 824 learners, 156 boys and 160 girls are boarders, while the rest are day scholars. All the 156 boys boarders were accommodated in the ill-fated dormitory," said the Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Belio Kipsang.

Kipsang empathises with Hillside Endarasha fire victims

Kipsang further stated that the ministry is coordinating with various government departments, including the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, as well as the Ministry of Health, to manage the situation and ensure the injured students receive the best medical care.

He added that he was on the ground leading the local multi-agency team in managing the situation.

Kipsang conveyed the Ministry's condolences to the affected families, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of life.

"The Ministry of Education sends its sincere and heartfelt condolences to the parents, families, and friends of the learners who lost their lives in this regrettable tragedy," he said.

Ruto orders investigations into Hillside Endarasha fire

Following the fire, President William 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. He pledged government support to the affected families.

What you need to know about Hillside Endarasha Academy fire

• 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 Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke