- Kindiki confirmed that a number of the missing learners are being hosted by members of the community.
- Kindiki said the learners fled from the school after the fire broke out and ran into nearby homes.
Image: MINA
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has appealed to residents who could be hosting learners from Hillside Endarasha Academy to return them.
Kindiki confirmed that a number of the missing learners are being hosted by members of the community.
Kindiki said the learners fled from the school after the fire broke out and ran into nearby homes.
The CS who met a team of security agents coordinating operations at the school said the children are yet to come back to the school and could be traumatised from the experience.
He said returning the learners to school will help in contract tracing exercise.
Further, the CS urged parents who have been reconnected with their children to ensure they register at the command centre to help in harmonisation of the data.
"I can confirm that a number of the pupils ran into the neighboring homes and they need help and counseling. Our appeal is to anybody who could be harboring a child to bring them for accountability," Kindiki said.
He said DCI detectives from Nairobi are at the scene and are in the process of piecing together information
"We may not be able to give conclusive information that I know many want to have. We have agreed to have a structured way of communication so as to provide transparent and accurate information," Kindiki said.
He appealed for patience from parents and the public saying the government is doing everything possible to recover all the affected children.
"We want to assure the public that if any action or inaction by anyone may have contributed to this tragedy, those found to have contributed will be held accountable," he said.
He pledged government's support for the school through the Ministry of Education to ensure everything that needs to be done is done.
The school's administration, he noted, is collaborating with security agencies as investigations continue.
He said his ministry will be coordinating operations at the school with the various agencies expected to undertake various roles.