Chief government pathologist Johansen Oduor announced the completion of DNA tests for the 21 pupils who tragically died in the Hillside Endarasha fire. Speaking at Naromoru Hospital in Nyeri on Wednesday, Oduor confirmed that all victims had been identified and efforts to contact their families had already begun.

“We have the pleasure to announce that we have received the results of the DNA of 21 Endarasha Academy victims, and all of them have been identified,” Oduor told journalists. He added that a team consisting of officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and counselors had been deployed to assist in notifying the families and preparing for the release of the bodies.

Once the bodies are released, Oduor noted, the government will provide financial support to the victims’ families for burial expenses.

The tragedy at Hillside Endarasha occurred when a fire swept through the school’s dormitory, leading to the deaths of the 21 students. In response, a government-led investigation was launched, and the school was temporarily closed.

In recent developments, the government has given the green light for the school to reopen after a committee formed to probe the incident recommended measures to ensure safety. One of the key recommendations was reducing the number of boarders to prevent overcrowding. The school has been handed back to its board of management for reconstruction efforts.

School owner David Kinyua stated that when classes resume, the dormitory where the fire occurred will not be renovated, but a new one will be constructed. Kinyua also mentioned that parents would be called for a prayer meeting to discuss the future of the school and their children’s return.

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“We have planned to provide all the students with essentials like mattresses, uniforms, and shoes so they can return as they left,” said Kinyua.

The fire tragedy shook the nation, prompting discussions on school safety standards and the need for stricter measures to prevent such incidents in the future.