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Thousands of mourners gathered at Mweiga Stadium in Nyeri County to honor 21 boys whose lives were cut short in a devastating dormitory fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy. The fire, which occurred on September 6th, shook the nation and ignited nationwide calls for stricter safety measures in schools.
The young boys, who ranged in age from 11 to 14, had been asleep in their dormitory when flames engulfed the building. Parents and community members, who had long trusted the boarding school with their children’s care and education, are now left grappling with grief and unanswered questions. The cause of the inferno remains under investigation, with many pointing to Kenya’s troubled history of dormitory fires.
Families of the victims carried their children’s caskets — all draped in white and gold — into the large tent erected at the stadium. Tears flowed freely, the weight of the loss palpable as relatives struggled to comprehend the tragedy. Some had traveled from faraway regions, as Hillside Endarasha Academy attracted students from across the country due to its academic reputation.
One father, Mwangi, shared his anguish with those gathered. “We had hopes for our son’s future, but now it’s gone. Twenty days of sleepless nights, and we still don’t understand how this could happen,” he said, his voice choked with emotion. The youngest of the victims was just 11 years old, described by his parents as “brilliant, with a bright future ahead.”
Amos, a fellow student at the academy, spoke somberly during the eulogy. “We’ve faced challenges before, but nothing compares to this. Our friends, our brothers are gone, and life will never be the same.”
The tragedy has cast a harsh light on school safety in Kenya, an issue that has plagued the country for years. Fires in schools, often suspected to be caused by student arson or negligence, have claimed many lives over the past two decades. In one of the country’s most infamous cases in 2001, 67 students perished in a similar dormitory blaze in Machakos County. Despite efforts to address the problem, incidents like the one at Hillside Endarasha continue to occur, raising questions about oversight and prevention.
In response to the incident, Education Minister Julius Migos Ogamba, who was present at the memorial, announced a nationwide safety audit for all public and private schools. “This tragedy must be the last of its kind,” he declared. “We cannot afford to lose more children due to preventable accidents.”
The call for reforms was echoed by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who also attended the memorial. He expressed the government’s deep sorrow and frustration over the tragedy. “Our hearts are broken. These were innocent boys with dreams and ambitions, but now their lives have been stolen from them. We owe it to them and their families to ensure this never happens again.”
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