Nyeri Man Yet To Find Grade 7 Kin After Endarasha Academy Fire Tragedy: "Nimeenda Hospital 3"

• Paul Gathogo arrived at Hillside Endarasha Academy minutes after finding out the institution's dormitory was on fire
• Upon arrival, he and the residents tried to break into the dormitory before the firefighters came to their aid
• He said he went to at least three hospitals in search of his kin, a Grade 7 pupil, Timothy Weru Gathogo

Nyeri - Families and locals at Kieni, Nyeri county, continue to wait for more information about Hillside Endarasha Academy pupils following the fire incident at the school.

An anxious man has opened up about his dire desperation to trace his relative, who attends the education institution.

What time did fire start at Hillside Endarasha Academy?

He identified himself as Paul Gathogo, cousin to the father of the young boy, Timothy Weru Gathogo.

Paul arrived at the school shortly after the news that it was on fire in his pursuit to check on Timothy's well-being.

"The fire started around 10:30 pm to 11:00 pm. We were not told the cause of the fire that began in the dormitory. We found a few staff members and residents who could not tell us what was happening. The teachers asked us to remain calm, but it was hard because we were worried about the kids' safety," he said.

When did firefighters arrive in Endarasha?

Paul noted that he and others went to the fire scene as they tried to break into the facility, which was made of wood and bricks.

However, as they tried to find their way in, the firefighters showed up and helped control the blazing inferno.

"I have tried to reach the young boy but to no avail. I was referred to a hospital, which I went to twice, but there was no information about him. I went to a different hospital in Endarasha and another separate one, and still, there were no signs of him, so I returned to school. I am still waiting for his whereabouts. I just want to find him in whatever state he is in," Paul said, adding that the kin is in Grade 7.

How Hillside Endarasha Academy pupil survived

In another story, Patrick Gikandi described his fear upon learning of a fire outbreak at the school where his son studied.

However, Gikandi heaved a sigh of relief when he heard that his son was safe and sound.

He had rushed to the school to check on his son, only for him to become emotional upon seeing some parents crying on learning their children had died.

What you need to know about Hillside Endarasha Academy fire incident

• The burnt dormitory housed 156 boys at the time, all of whom were boarders; the school has a total enrolment of 824 pupils, 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

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