- 17 pupils died after a fire broke out in a dormitory at the Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri couty Thursday night at 11pm.
- By Friday, the government said 86 pupils had been accounted for, 27 were hospitalised and several others remained missing.
Image: PCS/ FILE
President William Ruto has declared a three-day national mourning period following the deaths of 17 pupils at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County Thursday night.
The pupils died after a fire broke out in a dormitory at the school around 11pm.
"As a solemn testament to the indelible mark left upon the nation's consciousness by the spirits of the seventeen departed children, Kenya shall observe three days of national mourning," Ruto said in a statement.
He further directed that the Kenyan and the East African Community (EAC) flags be flown at half-mast during the mourning period.
The flags will be flown half half-mast from dawn on Monday, September 9, 2024, until sunset on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
This will be done at the State House, all Kenyan diplomatic Missions, public buildings, public grounds, all military bases, posts, stations, all Naval vessels of the Republic of Kenya and throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kenya.
The President said that the loss of children of tender years in such a manner is an unfathomable tragedy.
Ruto condoled with families that lost their children in the inferno.
"As they mourn and grieve, we commit them to the love and grace of the Almighty, for only He can give them the strength and healing that they need in this darkest hour of their lives."
The President sympathised with the students who survived the incident and the 14 boys who sustained injuries.
"The outpouring of grief across the country and beyond our borders reflects our shared humanity," he said.
According to the President, the children who perished were between the ages of nine and 13, in Grades 4 to 8.
Ruto said the loss evokes a unique sense of anger, bitterness, sorrow and emptiness.
He said the incident compels the government to ensure accountability in all schools across the country and to take every action to safeguard the lives of school-going children.
The President added that no child should lose their life in a place that is meant to be a haven for education, growth and social development.
He assured the affected families that every public medical resource will be at their disposal to ensure that all injured children receive the highest level of care.
"As your President, I pledge that the difficult questions that have been asked such as how this tragedy occurred and why the response was not timely will be answered; fully, frankly and without fear or favour."
The President assured the country that all relevant persons and bodies will be held to account, adding that the government will do all that is required to ensure the country never finds itself in the grips of such a tragedy ever again.
"Those are actions that must and will be taken in the coming days. For now, our nation must mourn and honour our 17 young ones who lost their lives, and we must stand in solidarity with their families, friends, relatives and schoolmates."