Uhuru Kenyatta Mourns 17 Pupils Killed In Hillside Endarasha Fire: "Pain That Can't Be Described"

• Former president Uhuru Kenyatta sent heartfelt condolences to the families and community of Hillside Endarasha Academy following the fire that claimed 17 pupils' lives
• In an emotional message on X, Uhuru expressed sorrow over the loss of young lives and prayed for strength and comfort for the grieving families
• He acknowledged the unimaginable pain of losing children full of potential and hope for the future, offering his thoughts to those affected
• Uhuru extended his prayers for the swift recovery of the 14 injured students, both physically and emotionally, as they cope with the trauma

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

Nairobi - Former president Uhuru Kenyatta has sent his heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and the entire Hillside Endarasha Academy community in Kieni, Nyeri county.

This follows a tragic fire that claimed the lives of 17 pupils and left 14 learners battling for their lives in various hospitals.

Uhuru mourns Hillside Endarasha Academy learners

In an emotional message shared on X, Uhuru expressed the immense sorrow brought on by the loss of young, innocent lives.

Uhuru prayed for strength and comfort for families whose children died in the deadly midnight inferno.

"The loss of young lives, full of potential and hope for the future, is a pain that cannot be fully described. My heart goes out to the families who lost their children and the school community deeply affected by this tragedy of unimaginable magnitude. May God give you the strength, comfort, and peace you need as you cope with this loss," said the retired president.

The former head of state also extended his prayers to the injured, hoping for their swift recovery, both physically and emotionally, as they dealt with the trauma caused by the incident.

How did Hillside Endarasha Academy fire start?

According to the police, the fire broke out on Thursday evening, September 5.

National police spokesperson Resila Onyango confirmed that 16 learners died at the scene and were burnt beyond recognition, with one perishing while on the way to the hospital.

Fourteen survivors of the tragedy were admitted to hospital, with the Kenya Red Cross confirming that 11 had been admitted to the Nyeri Provincial General Hospital.

Over 800 students were in the school at the time the fire happened.

The police spokesperson further confirmed that the fire broke out in a dormitory the victims were sleeping in.

The cause of the fire was yet to be established at the time of this publication.

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