Kenyan Newspapers Review: Hillside Endarasha Rescuers Recount Scenes As They Tried To Save Pupils

On Saturday, September 7, the local dailies widely reported on the Hillside Endarasha Academy fire tragedy that has since claimed the lives of 18 pupils, with others still battling for their lives in hospitals.

The papers also reported on the government's response to the tragedy, calling for a thorough probe into what caused the night fire.

1. Saturday Nation

The horror that visited Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni in a dormitory fire was evident.

Parents who viewed the scene where 18 children perished after being burnt beyond recognition wailed and shouted, unable to bear the grief of a village losing over a dozen young souls in hours.

They had camped at the scene, demanding to see for themselves the horror and the place the young boys spent their final moments before their lives were snuffed out by the fire said to have started at 11 pm on Thursday night.

Initially, their efforts were repulsed until Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua arrived at the scene and allowed them to view the dormitory 'for closure".

But there can be no closure here, as evidenced by the horror, the grief and the pain of those who managed to go in.

Those who were the first to arrive at the school painted the horrific scene.

John Mugo said he had rushed to the school to check on his sister’s son, who is in Grade Seven.

"We tried our best to save the children. Some residents risked and soaked blankets in water, covered themselves and entered the dormitory. I saw several emerge from the inferno, each holding a child. It was a terrible scene," Mugo said.

2. Taifa Leo

The Swahili publication reported that more than 30 families were left homeless after their houses were demolished on Friday morning in Kwa Munyeti, Athi River Sub-County, Machakos, due to a land dispute.

According to the affected families, unidentified individuals dressed in official police uniforms invaded the area at 4am.

They were ordered to leave their houses before the buildings were demolished using bulldozers.

During the ensuing chaos, two people were injured and rushed to the hospital for treatment. Peter Kasyoki, who had lived on the land for two years after purchasing it, said they had not been given any eviction notice or court order.

This left them counting millions of shillings in losses without any assistance.

Said Masase Mochama condemned the incident, stating that the individuals failed to identify themselves and threatened the residents when questioned.

3. The Star

According to the paper, President William Ruto’s administration borrowed an average of KSh 777.78 million daily in the last financial year, a new report shows.

It also emerged that the government spent KSh 1.56 trillion on debt repayment alone during this period.

The report by Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o highlighted the cost of the ballooning debt and the deep financial hole the country has landed in as a result.

The Budget Implementation Review Report for the National Government for 2023-24 revealed that the state borrowed KSh 280 million daily during the year, translating to KSh 23.33 billion per month.

This pushed the country’s debt stock to KSh 10.56 trillion from KSh 10.28 trillion the year before, a 3% increase.

“As of June 30, 2024, the public debt stock stood at KSh 10.56 trillion, comprising KSh 5.15 trillion (49%) from external lenders and KSh 5.41 trillion (51%) from domestic lenders,” the report states.

External debt declined by 5%, while domestic debt recorded a 12% growth. The decline in external debt is attributed to the strengthening of the Kenyan shilling against major currencies.

4. The Saturday Standard

The guns may have gone silent but the war is still on. Although President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua continue to display some sort of camaraderie, the two camps are still engaged in proxy wars.

They have been deploying their ‘attack dogs’ who are exploiting every opportunity to undermine their chosen side publicly.

The president has several MPs led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah (Kikuyu) National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro (South mugirango) Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East) Oscar Sudi (Kapsaret). They have sustained attacks against the Deputy President.

Ruto’s camp seems to have received a boost after his unity deal with Azimio leader Raila Odinga.

Now, several of Raila’s allies, including Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga, have joined forces targeting Gachagua over his past ‘shareholding’ remarks.

On his part, Gachagua’s defenders include James Gakuya (Embakasi North), Benjamin Gathiru (Embakasi Central), Jane Kihara (Naivasha), Njeri Maina (Kirinyaga), among others, who have been firing back at the attackers.

The anti-Gachagua crusaders are advancing a narrative that the DP had a hand in the Gen Z protests, claiming he wanted to topple Ruto’s administration.

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