The fire, which started in one of the school’s dormitories, quickly consumed the building, trapping many of the 156 boys inside.
As the community searches for answers, there are still many lingering questions, particularly about the missing children, as families anxiously await closure.
The blaze began around midnight, catching the dormitory’s occupants off guard. Many of the students were fast asleep when the flames began to spread.
The fire quickly engulfed the dormitory, making it nearly impossible for the young students to escape.
Most of the boys trapped inside were around nine years old. Parents, teachers, and the public were left in shock as news of the disaster spread.
In the immediate aftermath, it was confirmed that 17 pupils had perished in the fire. The Ministry of Education warned that the death toll could increase as search and rescue efforts continued.
Many children were initially unaccounted for, leading to widespread confusion. Some of the students were believed to have escaped and hidden within the local community, while others were reportedly picked up by their parents, without the school's knowledge.
Days later, the number of confirmed dead rose to 21. However, the mystery of over 40 missing children has left many families in anguish.
Despite thorough searches and inquiries, the school has yet to provide answers regarding the whereabouts of these children, leaving parents desperate for information.
Though the incident was catastrophic, there were also stories of survival that gave a glimmer of hope. One parent, Patrick Gikandi, shared how his son managed to escape the fire.
His son, along with a few friends, broke a window and climbed out of the burning dormitory. Gikandi’s relief, however, was mixed with sadness as he witnessed other parents grieving the loss of their children.
Following the fire, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, along with local leaders, visited the scene to console the affected families.
Gachagua, deeply moved by the scale of the tragedy, struggled to hold back his emotions as he prayed with grieving parents and walked through the remains of the charred dormitory.
The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) denied any connection between the blaze and an electrical fault as investigations into the cause of the fire continued.
Many had speculated that the fire might have been caused by a malfunction in the school's power supply, but KPLC issued a statement confirming that their installations were intact at the time of the incident.
The process of identifying the victims has been both challenging and painful. Many of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition, requiring DNA tests to confirm their identities.
Government pathologists have begun the grim task of carrying out post-mortem examinations, but this process is expected to take several days.
President William Ruto declared three days of national mourning and has ordered a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and prevent such a tragedy from occurring in the future.
The Hillside Endarasha Academy fire remains one of the darkest moments in Kenya's recent history, with the nation mourning the loss of young lives and praying for healing for those left behind.
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