Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are investigating the tragic fire that swept through the boys’ dormitory at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri, resulting in the deaths of 21 students. The investigation is focussing on three main areas: the mysterious absence of the dormitory’s matron, the building’s structural integrity, and the possibility of an electrical fault.
The DCI is questioning the absence of the matron, who was responsible for the students’ well-being. Her whereabouts and duties on the night of the fire remain unclear, and detectives are trying to determine if her absence was due to an accident or another reason. Conflicting reports have raised doubts about whether she had officially communicated her inability to perform her duties.
Investigators are also examining the dormitory’s structural integrity, particularly its use of substandard materials. Initial findings suggest the dormitory was made primarily of iron sheets and wood, which may have accelerated the spread of the fire. The DCI has demanded answers from the school’s management about these materials and the security measures in place, as metal doors intended to protect students turned into death traps.
Concerns have also been raised about a potential electrical malfunction. The fire may have been sparked when someone attempted to turn off the lights at the main meter. A key question is whether the matron, if present, would have supervised the lights-off routine that night.
Parents have expressed outrage over the incident, with some planning demonstrations to demand accountability from the school. Many believe the tragedy could have been prevented with better safety protocols.
“This is a wake-up call for all schools to prioritise student safety,” one concerned parent stated. “We need to ensure that such an incident never happens again.“
The fire, which occurred on Thursday, September 5, left the community in shock. Forensic experts are continuing to analyse the scene, and autopsies on the victims are scheduled for September 12. Director of Criminal Investigations Abraham Mugambi assured the public that the investigation is moving swiftly. “We are determined to find out what led to this tragic incident,” he said, adding that DNA samples have been collected to help identify the victims.
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As the investigation unfolds, attention is turning to the responsibility of school management to ensure student safety, with calls for stricter regulations to prevent future tragedies.