- The time of the incident and location of the education academy deep into the interior of Nyeri County’s Kieni West Sub-county only served to complicate the response initiative.
- The Ministry of Interior swiftly mobilised resources, deploying security agencies to Hillside Endarasha Academy to secure the site and conduct a thorough investigation.
Image: FILE
When disaster strikes, the effectiveness of a government's response mechanism becomes crucially apparent.
The recent fire at the Hillside Endarasha Mixed Academy, which sadly claimed 21 lives and left scores injured, has posed a significant challenge to both Kenya’s national and county governments.
The intensity of the crisis required immediate and well-coordinated action for support to the helpless young children and to minimise the impact of what later turned out to be a crisis of unimaginable proportion.
In the wake of this devastating occurrence, the government's response can be described as having been unusually prompt and with deep empathy with the affected, considering the nature of response from both the national and county governments, right from the Presidency down to the lowest level of the national administration machinery.
The time of the incident and location of the education academy deep into the interior of Nyeri County’s Kieni West Sub-county only served to complicate the response initiative.
In response to the unfortunate phenomenon, President William Ruto issued a Presidential Proclamation No. 2 of 2024, declaring a three-day period of national mourning from dawn of September 9, 2024, to sunset on September 11, 2024.
During this period, the Kenyan flag and the East African Community flag are to flow at half-mast at State House, all Kenyan diplomatic missions, public buildings, military bases, posts, and stations, as well as naval vessels across Kenya.
This gesture reflects the nation’s profound sorrow, care and solidarity in honoring the victims.
On his part, the country’s second in command, Rigathi Gachagua, was on time to ensure response action was in top gear and condole with the school community together with the parents who had unfortunately lost their loved sons in the fire tragedy.
Giving his moral support to the government teams involved in the rescue mission, the Deputy President urged the public to avoid speculation about the cause of the fire and the fate of the missing pupils, emphasizing the need for patience and trust in the ongoing police investigations.
This stance underscores the government’s dedication to managing the situation with care and ensuring that accurate information is shared to avoid traumatizing the affected families and fellow learners.
The Ministry of Interior swiftly mobilised resources, deploying security agencies to Hillside Endarasha Academy to secure the site and conduct a thorough investigation.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and government pathologists are working diligently to determine the cause of the fire and scientific analysis to ensure accountability.
This prompt action highlights the government’s commitment to transparency and justice.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Education responded urgently, with the Cabinet Secretary returning from an official trip in China to come and oversee the situation at the academy.
Efforts were mainly focused on locating the 17 missing learners and supporting the 139 who had been accounted for to bear the situation, demonstrating the government’s resolve to address the crisis effectively.
Additionally, the Office of the First Lady Rachel Ruto contributed significantly by sending a truckload of food stuff and extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families while accompanying the President on an official tour of China.
This was in addition to food and non-food items provided by the government to the families through the State Department for the ASALS and the Regional Development.
Questions were raised about the timeliness of releasing food items instead of other perceived relevant assistance, but the government was in order considering the agony the affected families had gone through.
Government Spokesperson Dr Isaac Mwaura observed that in mourning families have little time to go feeding for themselves, and thus the government had to chip in on its moral obligation.
The school, Mwaura added, also needed assistance in the form of food to cater for the other pupils as it rebuilt and equipped the dormitory.
The County Government of Nyeri was also at hand as it responded promptly by providing two fire engines, counselors, and food supplies to the school.
On behalf of the government, Dr Mwaura thanks all those who took time to help save the lives of the children in the wee hours of the night and to console with the school community and the affected families.
He singled out the Kenya Red Cross Society, which played a critical role by deploying 63 counsellors, setting up six counselling tents, and supplying eight vehicles for rescue operations and Amani Counseling Centre, which actively, offered additional counselling and psychosocial support, helping individuals cope with the emotional impact of the fire.
“This portrays our social norm of being each other’s ‘brother keeper,’ and we should always stand for each other in times of need,” Mwaura advised.
He, on his part, as the government spokeswoman, played a crucial role in managing communication during this crisis right from the scene.
While at Hillside Endarasha Academy, Mwaura was at hand to answer to questions by journalists and delivered a clear and compassionate update on September 7, 2024.
“The tragic loss of 21 of our children following the fire incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy is a catastrophe beyond our imagination. Nineteen bodies have been recovered from the scene with the help of the DCI and government pathologists,” he explained in part.
His presence at the scene served to clear the air on any public concerns about the fire outbreak as he interacted freely and directly with the members of the affected families who went to inquire about the fate of their children.
His physical presence involved a live interview with international and various local media stations, where he openly provided updates and reassured the public of the government's commitment to addressing the crisis.
“While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, the government is committed to a thorough and transparent inquiry,” said Mwaura, adding that relevant agencies were working round the clock to uncover the truth and advise on how to enhance safety protocols in schools to prevent such a tragedy in the future.
OGS: Rose Chepkoech is an PSIP Intern at the Office of Government Spokeperson