Kenya: 17 die after fire breaks out at elementary school dormitory

The inferno occurred late Thursday at the Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni, in the country’s Nyeri county, Resila Onyango, a spokesperson for the Kenya National Police Service said. She added their bodies had been “burnt beyond recognition.”

“The cause of fire is unknown at this time but we will update the public when we know more,” Onyango told CNN.

Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said 156 boys were present in the dormitory when the fire broke out.

The dormitory housed boys from Grade 4 to Grade 8.

Kenyan President William Ruto condoled the loss of lives in the tragedy.

He posted on X: "Our thoughts are with the families of the children who have lost their lives in the fire tragedy at the Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County."

He called the fire tragedy 'devastating'.

"We pray for speedy recovery to the survivors.I instruct relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this horrific incident. Those responsible will be held to account," he said.

" The Government under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of the National Government is mobilising all the necessary resources to support the affected families," he said.

Kenya Red Cross said it will provide  psychosocial support services to te students, teachers and affected family members.

" Following the tragic fire incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri, the Kenya Red Cross, alongside a multi-agency response team, has been on the ground responding," the organisation posted on X. 
"Eleven children have been taken to Nyeri Provincial General Hospital. The scene is currently cordoned off by the @PoliceKE," Kenya Red Cross said.