Protestors Storm Hillside Endarasha Academy Demanding Search of 70 Allegedly Missing Pupils.
Tensions have intensified in Nyeri as police and local residents disrupted a planned protest at Hillside Endarasha Academy on Thursday, September 12.
Activists had gathered to demand answers regarding the alleged disappearance of 70 students, a claim that had gained significant attention on social media.
However, the protest was abruptly halted when police and residents worked together to block demonstrators from accessing the school, further aggravating the already tense situation.
Authorities, aiming to prevent the demonstration, set up roadblocks along key routes, such as the Blue Post area on Thika Superhighway.
Vehicles headed towards the academy were subjected to thorough checks, with several public service vehicles, suspected of transporting protestors, being turned away.
Despite these efforts, some demonstrators managed to get within close proximity of the school.
Escalating Tensions Near the Academy
Activist Njoki Njanja reported in a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that her group had reached a point about 100 meters from the school.
She mentioned a car blocking access to the school and also shared that they had been threatened with violence, including threats to burn vehicles.
“Fools in a probox have blocked the road telling us mkubwa amesema hakuna mtu anapita. We are now walking to the school. We have been met with rungus and so much hostility! #OccupyEndarasha!”
Videos circulating online show residents closing roads and preventing protestors from advancing, contributing to the tense standoff between locals and activists.
This confrontation has further fueled the controversy surrounding the school.
Background: Missing Students and Rumors
The protests followed several days of rumors and conspiracy theories about the whereabouts of 70 students after a fire at the academy that killed 21 boys.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had expressed concern, noting that 70 students were unaccounted for, which created widespread panic among parents and spread alarm on social media.
Some online users even speculated that the missing students had been trafficked to Uganda, amplifying public anxiety.
However, government officials quickly stepped in to quell the fears. Central Region Criminal Investigations Officer Abraham Mugambi assured the public that no students were missing.
He clarified that all students had been accounted for and dismissed the claims circulating on social media as baseless.
Mugambi also explained that authorities had postponed interviews with key witnesses and suspects to prioritize providing psycho-social care to those affected by the tragic incident.
The Aftermath of False Claims
Despite these reassurances, the damage caused by the initial rumors was already done. The Deputy President’s comments had sparked widespread speculation, with social media users spreading unfounded claims.
By the time the government clarified the situation, the narrative of missing children had taken hold, leading to the protest that was cut short today.
Ongoing Investigations
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire at the academy. The investigation is focusing on three main areas:
- Dormitory Matron’s Absence: The mysterious absence of the dormitory matron during the night of the fire has raised significant questions about her role and whereabouts, prompting calls for a thorough investigation.
- Building Integrity: Investigators are examining the structural integrity of the building to determine if it contributed to the tragedy.
- Electrical Fault: The possibility of an electrical fault causing the fire is also being probed.
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Authorities are determined to uncover the truth behind the incident, though tensions remain high in the local community.
Protestors Storm Hillside Endarasha Academy Demanding Search of 70 Allegedly Missing Pupils.
