Memorial service planned for victims of Hillside Academy tragedy

A memorial service is planned for next week to honour the 21 victims of the fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy before the bodies are handed over to their respective families for burial.

The service at Mweiga Stadium in Nyeri is organised by the state and national level together with their families and church leaders.

Acting Nyeri Regional Commissioner Pius Murugu said it was expected that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) would complete the process early next week to pave the way for the service.

“By next week, we will be able to complete the funeral arrangements so that after that we can see how the school will be reopened… of course in consultation with the administration, parents and other stakeholders,” Murugu said.

The investigation into the tragic fire, which has been ongoing since the fire broke out on the night of September 5, has been completed after interviewing several people.

The school was declared a crime scene.

DCI is leading the investigation and a preliminary report is due to be released later this week ahead of the school's planned reopening.

Two of the male students who survived the tragedy are still recovering in hospital.

At the same time, Murugu reiterated the government's support to all affected families and students who have lost their personal belongings.

The school's owner and principal, David Kinyua, said on Tuesday the school would reduce the number of boarding students from 330 to 195.

Kinyua said the move would help make room for students at the school.

According to him, the number of students will be reduced from 330 to 195.

“We do not have enough space at the edges, the students who live near the school will be day students, so we can afford to accommodate some boys.

So far we have 87 boys who are border students and 98 girls who will be border students, the rest will be day students,” he said.

Kinyua also expressed his sadness over the fire tragedy in which 21 students lost their lives.

He announced that the church had invited parents and education officials to a meeting and prayer.

“We have been given permission to start repairs and we are trying to complete them on time. We have removed the dormitory from its original location and relocated the paths leading to the dormitory destroyed by the fire so that residents are not injured,” Kinyua added.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Julius Ogamba is expected to appear before the plenary of the National Assembly this afternoon.

He will address key education issues, including school fires and riots nationwide, as well as overall student safety.

The focus is on the tragic incident at Hillside Academy.

“This incident represents a tragic loss for the nation and Parliament must be fully informed of its cause and the remedial measures proposed by the ministry,” said National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula.

He will also submit a progress report on the implementation of the commitments made during the Kamukunji meeting of members on August 20, 2024, regarding the new financing model for higher education, Wetangula said.