The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed police to conduct a thorough investigation into the Hillside Endarasha Academy fire tragedy that killed 17 pupils.
In a statement on Saturday, DPP Renson Igonga asked the acting inspector general of police Gilbert Masengeli to ensure that the investigations determine the circumstances that led to the deadly fire.
Igonga also asked Masengeli to assess if or not the tragedy may have resulted from negligence or recklessness of any responsibility holders and forward the investigation file to the DPP for review.
"The DPP assures the public that any person found culpable towards the fire tragedy shall be expediently taken through the due process of a criminal trial," Igonga said.
Igonga said that the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, guarantees every child's right to education, safety, and protection from all forms of harm.
He said that the Hillside Endarasha Academy tragedy evokes bad memories of similar school fire incidents which often point to negligence and a failure by responsibility holders.
He said the responsibility holders have in many instances been found not to prioritize the safety of young children at school and also ensure that there is compliance with the safety protocols under the relevant statutes.
The relevant laws, he said, include the Basic Education Act, the Children's Act, and the SafetyStandards Manual for Schools, which set out the safety and protection measures that all educational institutions must adhere to.
"The DPP expresses his deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims of the tragedy, and wishes a quick recovery to all students who sustained burn injuries," Igonga said.
The fire tragedy on Thursday night left at least 17 students dead, 14 others injured, and several others reportedly still unaccounted for.
