- He said that while the government is committed to providing information on the incident, it is done in a coordinated way.
- He said that it is because such a tragedy is a matter of national security.
Image: MINA
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has warned social media users against making false and inciting statements about the Hillside Endarasha Academy tragedy.
Speaking on Thursday, Kindiki said he had seen some alarming statements on social insisting that the government has nothing to hide.
He said that while the government is committed to providing information on the incident, it is done in a coordinated way.
He said that it is because such a tragedy is a matter of national security.
“A matter like this is a national security matter that's why you are seeing us here. If it was not, the security minister would not be coming here now and then," Kindiki said.
“We have made it very clear that we have nothing to hide. We will provide information every day but we have only asked that it is released in a coordinated manner, accurately and as verifiable as it can get.”
He appealed to all social media users to treat national security matters with sensitivity, adding that there are things he cannot say as the Interior CS.
“I want to appeal to Kenyans including the people on social media to take matters of national security with a little more sensitivity," the CS said.
“We can joke about many things, which is good but when it comes to serious things like deaths, you will be heartless to cast aspersions to make it look like it is a matter subject to banter.”
The Interior CS was reacting to claims that some pupils are still missing and that the state has been holding information over the fire tragedy.
Kindiki clarified that the school has a total of 843 pupils registered. Out of these, only 330 were registered as boarders, 164 were boys and girls were 166.
He added that 21 pupils died and those were the official numbers.
“As you are aware the dormitory that burnt down was a Boys' dormitory. Out of the 164 boys, 143 are alive and 140 are with their parents. Three are still receiving treatment,” the CS said.
Kindiki reiterated government support to parents of the victims, promising to ensure that they get justice and closure.
“This is not the time to bring triviality. The government regrets the tragedy that struck our children at Hillside Endarasha. The government will support the families to ensure there is justice and closure and to establish the truth. If it was caused by a person, we will pursue and get justice on behalf of people,” he said.