President William Ruto has ordered an immediate probe on the fire that broke out at Endarasha Hillside Academy in Kieni West, Nyeri, claiming 17 innocent lives and leaving 14 others with significant injuries.
In a statement, Ruto directed the Ministry of Interior and Coordination to mobilise the necessary resources to support affected families.
He affirmed that those found culpable of possible negligence that might have led to the pupils’ deaths will be dealt with in accordance to the law.
“I instruct relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this horrific incident. Those responsible will be held to account,” he said.
“Our thoughts are with the families of the children who have lost their lives in the fire tragedy at the Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County. This is devastating news. We pray for the speedy recovery of the survivors,” he added.
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At the same time, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged the schools across the country to beef up the security measures to avert similar tragedies.
“We ask schools to enforce safety and security measures as outlined by the Ministry of Education and other agencies to avert such incidences,” he said.
At the same time, Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Belio Kipsang has revealed that the Ministry of Education is working closely with the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, and Ministry of Health to manage the situation as well as ensuring that the injured learners are given utmost medical attention.
“The Ministry sends its sincere and heartfelt condolences to the parents, families and friends of the learners who lost their lives in this regrettable tragedy,” he said in a statement.
The fire incident that happened last night at midnight is one of the deadliest incidents in recent memory in the country. It has raised fresh concerns over fire safety and emergency preparedness in schools countrywide.
By Vostine Ratemo
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