Govt: All Pupils From Hillside Endarasha Academy Fire Accounted For, 3 Interventions Taken
Government Spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura revealed that all the 330 learners at the institution have been accounted for.
Marvin Chege 
The government has released an update on the status of the fire tragedy that occurred at Hillside Endarasha Junior Secondary School, claiming the lives of 21 pupils, including what happened to the 70 children who reportedly went missing hours after the incident.
In a statement to newsrooms, Government Spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura revealed that all the 330 learners at the institution have been accounted for.
"The tragic loss of 21 of our children following the fire incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy in the boys' dormitory is a catastrophe beyond our imagination. 2 of the boys died in the hospital while undergoing treatment and 19 other bodies were recovered from the burnt dormitory.
"There were 330 boarders, 166 girls and 164 boys. All girls are at home with their parents while all 164 boys have been accounted for," the statement read in part.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura during a past address. /FILE
However, Mwaura indicated that the parents of the 19 learners who succumbed have yet to identify their children, and they will be proceeding to Naromoru for autopsy and processing. They will also receive mental health and psychosocial support.
"The Government continues to extend heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. To the children now nursing injuries in various hospitals, those who have witnessed this horrific incident and bear psychological scars, we offer our deepest sympathies and wish them a speedy recovery," Mwaura added.
Mwaura, on behalf of the government, expressed his gratitude to everyone who has stepped forward to support the affected children during this difficult situation, including the school community and surrounding neighbours.
He announced that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) together with the government
pathologist launched investigations and scientific analysis on Monday, with more updates to follow as soon as the information is available.
Mwaura announced three interventional measures on the Hillside Endarasha incident. On the part of the Ministry of Health, health professionals have been on-site providing specialized care and assistance, their efforts centred on ensuring that the injured receive the necessary medical care.
In addition, ongoing initiatives include the provision of essential medical supplies and the coordination of blood donations. The Ministry has done this through the dispatching of four (4) mass casualty kits to the County, with the capacity to serve up to two hundred (200) individuals.
Additionally, a complete trauma kit, along with two complete response bags containing a range of drugs, supplies, and equipment have been handed over to the County to support the ongoing response.
The Ministry’s forensic team is collaborating closely with all agencies involved in the identification of the bodies of the children who tragically lost their lives in the fire.
Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) has supported the county with additional trauma kits to accelerate response and alleviate the suffering of the victims of the calamity.
"The Kenya Red Cross is coordinating support for affected parents and the school community, providing aid and counselling services. The 63 counselors have been working round the clock providing counseling services and psychosocial support. Other agencies that have stepped in to offer psycho-social support include Amani Counselling Centre, Child Welfare Society and AMREF Centre," the spokesperson added.
Mwaura added that the clergy has stepped forward to provide strong spiritual support to the Hillside Endarasha Academy community. To evidence this, an interdenominational service was held on Sunday, September 8 outside the school in honour of the young children who lost their lives in the tragedy and urged parents who took their children home to bring them to centres for psychological support.
He promised that the Ministry of Health would work with the National Emergency Operations Centre (NDOC) and National Government Administrative Organs (NGAO) in building capacities of the communities to prepare, mitigate and respond to emergencies and disasters in the country.
"We urge the school heads to be vigilant around this time when the country is recording increased fire incidences," he appealed.
