Tragic School Fire in Kenya Claims 21 Lives

A devastating fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County, Kenya, has resulted in the deaths of at least 21 young children, with 25 others hospitalized, VOA reported on Saturday. The blaze broke out shortly after midnight on Friday, engulfing a dormitory where over 150 boys aged 10 to 14 were sleeping. As many as 70 children remain unaccounted for, raising concerns that the death toll may rise, though some may have gone home for the night.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged community members to return any children they may have sheltered. The school, which has 824 students, is located 200 kilometers north of Nairobi. Families are anxiously awaiting news of their children, with limited information provided.

In response to the tragedy, President William Ruto has declared three days of mourning, ordering flags to be flown at half-staff. Investigations into the cause of the fire are underway, with authorities emphasizing the need for adherence to safety guidelines in boarding schools. School fires in Kenya have often been linked to overcrowding and arson.