Ruto Declares 3 Days Of National Mourning Over Hillside Endarasha Academy Fire

The period of mourning will commence on Monday, September 9, and conclude on Wednesday, September 11.

Viral Tea Ke Writer Viral Tea Ke Writer
Sep 6, 2024 - 22:29 Updated: Sep 6, 2024 - 23:12
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Ruto Declares 3 Days Of National Mourning Over Hillside Endarasha Academy Fire
President William Ruto speaking at State House, Nairobi on July 11, 2024. /PCS

President William Ruto has declared three days of national mourning following the devastating inferno at the Hillside Endarasha Academy that claimed the lives of 18 students.

The period of mourning will commence on Monday, September 9, and conclude on Wednesday, September 11.

"Now therefore, in deep sympathy and honour of the memory of these innocent lives lost and those who were injured in this tragedy, I, WILLIAM SAMOEI RUTO, under the authority vested in me as President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT," Ruto announced in a heartfelt statement late on Friday, September 6.

"That, as a solemn testament to the indelible mark left upon the nation's consciousness by the spirits of the seventeen departed children, Kenya shall observe a three-day period of national mourning."

Scene at Hillside Endarasha Academy following a fire tragedy on September 6, 2024. /MACHARIA WANGUI

Further, Ruto directed that during the period of national mourning, the Flag of the Republic of Kenya and that of the East African Community (EAC) shall be flown at half-mast.

This shall apply at State House, all Kenyan Diplomatic Missions, Public Buildings, Public Grounds, all Military Bases, Posts, Stations, all Naval Vessels of the Republic of Kenya, and throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kenya,

The directive will start at dawn on Monday, September 9, 2024, until sunset on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.

The President expressed the collective heartache of the nation, extending his deepest condolences to the families who lost their children in the fire, acknowledging the profound pain of losing children so young, between the ages of 9 and 13 and grades 4 to 8, noting the unique sense of anger and emptiness that such a tragedy evokes.

Ruto noted that 14 other boys who survived the blaze are currently receiving treatment for their injuries, further assuring their families that all available public medical resources are being deployed to ensure their full recovery.

“This incident compels us to ensure accountability in all schools across the country and to take every action we can to safeguard the lives of our school-going children. No child should lose their life in a place that is meant to be a safe haven for education, growth, and social development,” he stated.

“I assure all the affected families that every public medical resource is at their disposal to ensure that all injured children receive the highest level of care. As your President, I pledge that the difficult questions that have been asked such as how this tragedy occurred and why the response was not timely will be answered; fully, frankly, and without fear or favour.”

President Ruto added: “All relevant persons and bodies will be held to account, and we shall do all that is required to ensure that, as far as possible, we shall never again find ourselves in the grips of such a tragedy.”

The inferno, the details of which are still emerging, has continued to send shockwaves across the country with the loss of such young lives striking deep into the hearts of members of communities across Kenya.

But what is even more dire is the students missing from the inferno as the search continues, the government and humanitarian agencies working tirelessly to account for those affected by the catastrophic inferno at the school in Nyeri.

The blaze, which engulfed the school’s dormitory in the early hours of Friday, has raised urgent questions as families and authorities grapple with the aftermath.

Earlier, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua revealed that 70 students are still unaccounted for. This figure does not necessarily indicate casualties but includes students who might have been taken home by their parents or remain lost amidst the chaos.

The inferno has tragically claimed the lives of 18 boys following the confirmation that one student succumbed to injuries in hospital.

The blaze consumed the dormitory of a boarding school housing 311 students, including 156 boys, all of whom were present when the inferno erupted.

According to Gachagua, the government has managed to confirm the whereabouts of 86 students. Of these, 27 are hospitalised with injuries, and 37 have been located with their parents. Despite these efforts, the remaining 70 students’ whereabouts are still unknown, leaving families in a state of desperation and distress.

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