In a heartbreaking incident, a fire broke out in a boarding school dormitory in central Kenya, resulting in the tragic death of 17 boys and leaving 14 others with severe burn injuries. The devastating incident occurred at Hillside Endarasha Primary school, which caters to approximately 800 pupils aged between five and 12 years old.

The fire, which started around midnight, rapidly engulfed the dormitory as the students were sleeping, leaving little time for escape. Authorities have reported that the victims were boys in grades four to eight, ranging in age from 9 to 13 years old. The bodies recovered at the scene were described as being burnt beyond recognition, further highlighting the magnitude of the tragedy.

Resila Onyango, a police spokesperson, confirmed the loss of 17 young lives, while 14 others suffered significant burn injuries. Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura expressed profound grief over the incident. Onyango assured the public that a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire would be conducted, and appropriate action would be taken.

The Kenyan Red Cross immediately responded, deploying a multi-agency team to assist at the scene. In addition to their physical support, the agency is providing psychosocial support services to the affected pupils, teachers, and families. The gravity of the tragedy has prompted President William Ruto to pledge that those responsible for the incident will be held accountable.

Expressing his condolences, President Ruto described the news as devastating and ordered relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged school administrators to ensure strict adherence to safety guidelines recommended by the education ministry for boarding schools.

Sadly, school fires have become relatively commonplace in Kenyan boarding schools, where students often stay to maximize their study time without long commutes. Some fires have been ignited during student protests over workload or living conditions. Regrettably, this tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the need for stringent safety measures within educational institutions.

This unfortunate incident follows a similar tragedy in 2017, where 10 high school students lost their lives in a fire at a school in Nairobi, the capital city. The frequency of such incidents underscores the pressing need for further preventative measures and increased vigilance in order to safeguard the lives of students.

As investigations into the cause of the fire continue, the nation mourns the loss of these young lives and offers support to those affected. Efforts must be made collectively to prevent future tragedies of this nature and ensure the safety and well-being of students across Kenyan schools.