A devastating fire at a school dormitory in Kenya’s Nyeri county has claimed the lives of 17 students and left 13 others seriously injured, police reported on Friday. The blaze erupted Thursday night at Hillside Endarasha Primary School, which caters to children up to 14 years old.
Police spokesperson Resila Onyango stated that the cause of the fire is under investigation, with fears that the death toll may rise. Nyeri County Commissioner Pius Murugu and the education ministry reported that the affected dormitory housed more than 150 boys aged between 10 and 14. The rapid spread of the fire was attributed to the wooden plank construction of the buildings.
The school, located in Kenya’s central highlands about 200 kilometers north of Nairobi, has a total student population of 824. Governor Mutahi Kahiga of Nyeri County told journalists that rescue efforts were hampered by muddy roads caused by ongoing rains in the area.
President William Ruto described the news as “devastating” on social media platform X, instructing relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged school administrators to ensure compliance with the education ministry’s safety guidelines for boarding schools.
This tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about safety in Kenyan boarding schools. A recent education ministry report noted that school fires are common, often due to arson fueled by drug abuse and overcrowding. Many parents prefer boarding schools, believing they provide students with more study time by eliminating long commutes.
The education ministry’s guidelines recommend spacious dormitories with two doors on each end, an emergency door in the middle, and windows without grills to allow for escape. Fully serviced fire extinguishers and alarms are required at accessible locations.
This incident recalls previous school fire tragedies in Kenya, including a 2017 fire in Nairobi that killed 10 high school students and the deadliest school fire in 2001, which claimed 67 lives in Machakos county.
