Hillside Endarasha Pupil Gives Emotional Tribute To Fallen Comrades: "We Ask Ourselves Why"

• A Hillside Endarasha Academy pupil has delivered an emotional tribute at the memorial service for 21 schoolmates who died in a tragic fire, expressing the shared grief
• He reflected on the deep bond shared with the lost friends, highlighting the devastating impact of the tragedy on the school
• The learner pointed out the joyful memories the pupils created together, their hopes for the future, and the profound void left by their absence
• Drawing comfort from Philippians 4:7, the pupil ended the tribute with a message of peace and hope, wishing the deceased eternal rest

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

Nyeri - A pupil from Hillside Endarasha Academy has delivered a moving homage to his 21 schoolmates who died in a horrific night fire.

During the memorial service held at Mweiga Stadium on Thursday, September 26, tears flowed as the young pupil read the powerful tribute, reflecting the grief and sorrow gripping the entire school community.

The memorial, attended by families, friends, and leaders, was a sombre reminder of the devastating loss.

"In deep mourning, sadness, and grief, we find only a little strength to express how we feel. We have crossed many rivers before, even with the faintest of hope, but this one is wide, deep, and torrential. Who would have thought that one day, death would come between our love, our bond?" the pupil posed in reflection.

He expressed the deep connection the pupils shared and the unimaginable pain of losing close friends and classmates in such a tragic manner.

The devastated learner recounted the joyful moments the pupils spent together, learning, playing, and growing, with hopes and dreams for the future.

"We've come a long way; learning, playing, eating, and praying together. It is painful to realise that our beautiful moments are now nothing but memories. Together, we worked tirelessly with the big hope that in the long run, we would become what we constantly reminded ourselves we wanted to be when we grew up," the pupil said.

Hope during time of immense grief

The weight of the loss was obvious as the crowd listened in silence, many visibly moved by the touching words.

He further highlighted the victims' impact on their peers, noting that their absence would be felt in every aspect of school life.

"Yet now, death has cruelly taken from us a possession far more valuable than gold and silver. A large part of the Hillside family has been stolen from us," he lamented.

As the tribute drew to a close, the pupil drew comfort from the Bible in Philippians 4:7, offering a sense of peace and hope amidst the overwhelming grief.

"As we continue to ask ourselves why, with every sunrise, we hold firmly to the words of the Holy Scriptures in Philippians 4:7: 'And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.' Until we meet again, our beloved, may you dance with angels in heaven. Safiri salama," he concluded.

Hillside Endarasha reduces boarding capacity

Earlier, the school management announced plans to reduce boarding capacity from 330 to 195 students.

David Kinyua, the owner of the school, explained that there wasn’t enough space to accommodate all the students in the wake of the fire tragedy.

He also mentioned that students living nearby will not be allowed to stay in the institution once classes resume.

What else you need to know about Endarasha fire

• Emotional parents and guardians painfully wept during the memorial service of their children
• The mother of a missing child broke down after being offered food at the school
• David Kinyua, owner of the Endarasha School, asked Kenyans to pray for them after the tragic incident

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