Tears Flow at Nyeri Memorial for Dormitory Fire Victims of Endarasha Academy.
On Thursday, thousands of mourners gathered at Mweiga stadium in Nyeri County to pay their respects to 21 boys who tragically lost their lives in a dormitory fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy earlier this month.
The memorial service was marked by profound grief, as family members carried the white and gold caskets into a large dome-shaped tent set up for the ceremony. The location was approximately 170 kilometers (100 miles) from Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
The fire, which erupted on September 6, swept through the dormitory while the boys were asleep at Hillside Endarasha Academy, a boarding school for young students.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Among the victims was the youngest, an 11-year-old boy described by his parents as “talented and visionary.”
Parents’ Heartbreaking Grief
Many parents expressed their sorrow and devastation. Mwangi, a parent, shared his overwhelming pain, saying that the last 20 days had been filled with agony, sleepless nights, and confusion.
He stated that although his son would be buried at their family home, a part of him would always be missing, leaving him incomplete without his child. On the same day, families of nine of the 21 victims were scheduled to bury their sons.
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During the memorial service, Amos, a student from the same school, gave an emotional eulogy, reflecting on the difficulty of processing such a loss. He compared the grief to crossing a wide, deep, and torrential river, unlike any challenge he had faced before.
School Fires: A Recurring Tragedy in Kenya
Kenya has a troubling history with school fires, many of which have been linked to arson by students and exacerbated by poor safety conditions.
Over a dozen incidents have occurred this year alone. One of the deadliest fires occurred in 2001 when 67 high school students perished in a dormitory fire caused by arsonists in Machakos County.
In response to the recent tragedy, education officials have mandated a comprehensive safety audit of all public and private schools.
Education Minister Julius Migos Ogamba, who attended the memorial service, emphasized that the loss of these young lives must lead to meaningful change. He declared that the ministry has resolved to make this incident a turning point in ensuring school safety.
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Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also made a heartfelt address, lamenting the loss of the innocent young boys. He expressed the shared grief of the nation, stating that the country mourns for these young souls who are no longer with them.
Tears Flow at Nyeri Memorial for Dormitory Fire Victims of Endarasha Academy.
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