NAIROBI, Kenya- A somber atmosphere envelops Mweiga Stadium in Kieni West as families, friends, and national leaders gather for the ongoing interdenominational memorial service honoring the 21 learners who tragically lost their lives in the fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy.
The service, taking place approximately 24 kilometers from the school where the devastating incident occurred, serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the profound loss felt by the community.
The tragedy occurred on the night of September 6, when a fire tore through one of the school’s dormitories housing 156 boys, killing 21 students who were asleep at the time.
This disaster has shaken the local community and the nation at large, with many still grappling with the immense loss.
Nearly a week before the memorial service, government pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor confirmed that DNA tests had positively matched all the victims with their parents, providing much-needed closure to grieving families.
“We have received the results of the 21 pupils who died in the tragedy, and they have positively matched with those of their parents,” Dr. Oduor said.
Attending the service are several top government officials, including Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba.
Bishop Paul Wanjohi will be coordinating the day’s events, leading the community in prayers and reflections on the lives of the young learners who perished.
While much of the country is focused on healing and support for the affected families, this incident has also renewed conversations about school safety and the measures needed to prevent future tragedies of this magnitude.
The Hillside Endarasha Academy fire has sparked widespread calls for tighter regulations in boarding schools, especially around fire safety measures.
As the community of Kieni West and the entire nation remembers the victims, questions continue to linger about how such a tragedy could have occurred.
The fire, which left more than 150 boys scrambling for safety on that fateful night, has underscored the urgency for addressing fire safety standards across Kenya’s boarding schools.
This memorial service not only brings the community together in grief but also shines a light on the need for heightened vigilance and safety in educational institutions across the country.
