Govt Reassures Student’s’ Safety in Schools
The death of 21 boys in the Hillside Endarasha Academy fire has been marked as a significant turning point for improving security measures in educational institutions across the nation.
Education Cabinet Secretary (CS), Julius Migos, emphasized that the tragedy on September 5 will lead to a stronger focus on ensuring the safety of all learners in schools.
Migos, addressing mourners during an interdenominational funeral service at Mweiga Stadium, reassured the public of the government’s determination to identify the cause of the fire and hold those responsible accountable.
He noted that parents should never have to worry about their children’s safety in schools and reiterated the ministry’s commitment to auditing any potential negligence by officials. The CS emphasized that anyone found culpable would be held accountable.
The event, attended by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, lawmakers, and opposition figures, provided a platform for Migos to underline the government’s ongoing support for the affected families. He assured them of assistance to help them recover from the devastating incident.
National Tragedy and Lasting Impact
Migos highlighted the magnitude of the tragedy, calling it one of the most shocking fire incidents in recent years.
He paid tribute to the 21 boys who lost their lives, reading out each of their names and stressing that they would not merely be remembered as statistics, but as individuals whose loss deeply touched the nation.
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The CS expressed that parents send their children to school with hopes for their future, never expecting such a tragedy to occur.
He announced the launch of a national audit to assess all public and private boarding schools’ compliance with safety standards, promising strict enforcement of safety regulations.
Local Leaders Call for Support
Nyeri County Governor, Mutahi Kahiga, appealed for additional assistance for both the affected families and the school’s proprietor, Mr. David Kinyua. While acknowledging the government’s efforts,
Kahiga pointed out that two children were still hospitalized, and 141 others had lost all their belongings in the fire’s aftermath.
The governor noted that Hillside Endarasha Academy has been an integral part of the local community for many years, producing high-performing students in national exams. He stressed the need to help the surviving students rebuild their lives by providing them with the essentials they lost in the fire.
The Hillside Academy Fire Disaster Management Committee, co-chaired by Regional Commissioner Pius Murugu and Governor Kahiga, has assisted the victims’ families by covering funeral expenses. Each affected family received Sh 100,000 to help with burial costs.
The committee planned to stagger the burials, with nine victims to be laid to rest today, 10 tomorrow, and the remaining two on Saturday. Afterward, the committee will reconvene to discuss the reopening of the school.
School Statistics and Fire Details
Before the tragedy, Hillside Academy had a total of 824 students, including 330 boarders—166 girls and 164 boys.
On the night of the fire, 164 boys were sleeping in the dormitory. Of those, 19 died on the spot, while two passed away later in the hospital.
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The fire has left a profound impact on the community, and efforts are ongoing to ensure such an incident never happens again.
Govt Reassures Student’s’ Safety in Schools.
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