The investigation into the tragic fire that claimed the lives of 21 learners at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni constituency, Nyeri County, has taken a new turn after Kenya Power declared itself blameless.
The fire, which occurred on Thursday night in the boys’ dormitory, has left families and the public seeking answers. Kenya Power’s Nyeri County business manager, Duncan Machuka, addressed the media yesterday, stating that the power line from Mweiga sub-station was stable at the time of the incident, with no reported issues.
Machuka explained that, according to the firm’s investigators, the fire did not impact the two meters located within the school complex, which are supplied by a transformer.
“Based on the findings of the preliminary analysis of our protection system, from the meter box to the sub-station where the medium voltage line serving the school originates, we have ascertained there was no link between the cause of the fire and any fault on our network as alleged in sections of media reports,” Machuka said.
“All Kenya Power installations including the meter, supply cable, earthings, low voltage and high tension fuses, and the transformer were intact. The power line supplying the school is of low voltage,” he added. Machuka also mentioned that the company immediately cut off the power supply to the school and sent a team to investigate the incident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families during this difficult time and we wish a quick recovery to all the children who were affected by this incident,” Machuka said.
This revelation from Kenya Power came a day after the government reported that all the boys at the school had been accounted for. Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura issued a statement on Monday confirming that the school had 330 boarders, including 164 boys and 166 girls, before the fire broke out.
Mwaura stated, “Two of the boys died while receiving treatment at the hospital, and 19 other bodies were recovered from the burnt dormitory. All girls are at home with their parents, and all 164 boys have been accounted for. The parents of the 19 learners who succumbed are yet to identify their children. They will proceed to Naromoru for autopsy and processing. They will also receive mental health and psychosocial support.”
The Spokesman assured Kenyans that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the government pathologist are working tirelessly to complete a scientific analysis of the fire. Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura stated that the Ministry of Health will collaborate with the National Emergency Operations Centre (NDOC) and National Government Administrative Organs (NGAO) to enhance community preparedness and response capabilities for emergencies and disasters nationwide.
On Friday evening, President William Ruto addressed the tragedy, emphasizing the need for accountability in all learning institutions and measures to protect students from such disasters. “No child should lose their life in a place that is meant to be a safe haven for education, growth, and social development,” Dr. Ruto said in his statement.
The President also assured the affected families of government support for the injured children. “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 promised.
He 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.”
