The country has continued to mourn after seventeen students died and several others got injured in a tragic fire incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni, Nyeri County.

The incident that happened on Thursday midnight has left many in shock as they sympathize with the families of the victims of the fire tragedy.

The Ministry of Education, in a statement on Friday morning, has confirmed that 17 students lost their lives while 14 others were left with injuries.

Hillside Endarasha Academy is a mixed primary school located in Kieni West, in Nyeri County.

In its statement, the Ministry of Education noted that the school has 824 students, with 402 being boys and the other 422 being girls.

“Of the total 824 learners, 156 boys and 160 girls are boarders, while the rest are day scholars,” Basic Education PS, Belio Kipsang, said in the statement.

He confirmed that all the 156 boarding boys were being housed in the dormitory that got razed down in the Thursday night inferno.

Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura noted in his statement that the dormitory was accommodating students from grades 4–8.

He also confirmed that the injured students were rushed to the neighboring Mathari Mission and Nyeri County Referral Hospitals to receive treatment.

“The government is fully committed to supporting the victims, their families, and the broader school community during this incredibly difficult time. We are working closely with all relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, the Red Cross, and other key stakeholders, to provide the necessary support,” Mwaura said.

He also confirmed that aid, including dry foods, bedding, medical supplies, first aid kits, and counseling services, had been sent to the school.

On Friday morning, Kenyans woke up to sad news of a fire tragedy that had claimed the lives of about 17 students in the private primary school in Nyeri County.

President Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, have already sent their condolences to the families and asked for investigations into the incident.