President William Ruto has announced a three-day period of national mourning in response to the devastating loss of 17 young pupils in a tragic fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County.
The fire, which broke out in a school dormitory around 11 p.m. on Thursday night, left the nation reeling in shock and grief.
“As a solemn testament to the indelible mark left upon the nation’s consciousness by the spirits of the seventeen departed children, Kenya shall observe three days of national mourning,” Ruto stated, underscoring the depth of the tragedy in a somber message to the nation.
During this mourning period, the President has ordered that both the Kenyan and East African Community (EAC) flags be flown at half-mast.
The directive will take effect from dawn on Monday, September 9, 2024, and continue until sunset on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
The flags will be flown at half-mast across State House, Kenyan diplomatic missions, public buildings, military installations, and all naval vessels, covering the entire Republic of Kenya.
Describing the loss of these young lives as “an unfathomable tragedy,” Ruto extended his deepest condolences to the families of the children who perished in the inferno.
“As they mourn and grieve, we commit them to the love and grace of the Almighty, for only He can give them the strength and healing that they need in this darkest hour of their lives,” he said.
The President also expressed sympathy for the survivors of the fire, including 14 boys who sustained injuries.
He acknowledged the immense sorrow shared across the nation and beyond, stating, “The outpouring of grief across the country and beyond our borders reflects our shared humanity.”
The children who lost their lives were between the ages of nine and 13, in Grades 4 to 8. The President said their deaths stir a profound sense of “anger, bitterness, sorrow, and emptiness.”
Ruto emphasized that this horrific incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for increased safety measures in schools. He assured the public that the government will take all necessary actions to hold those responsible accountable and to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.
“No child should lose their life in a place that is meant to be a haven for education, growth, and social development,” Ruto stated firmly.
In the wake of the tragedy, the President pledged that all injured students would receive the best medical care available. “Every public medical resource will be at their disposal to ensure that all injured children receive the highest level of care,” he added.
Addressing the critical need for answers, Ruto vowed that a thorough investigation will be conducted.
“As your President, I pledge that the difficult questions that have been asked, such as how this tragedy occurred and why the response was not timely, will be answered; fully, frankly, and without fear or favour.”
He concluded with a resolute promise: “All relevant persons and bodies will be held to account, and we shall do all that is required to ensure that, as far as possible, we shall never again find ourselves in the grips of such a tragedy.”