17 students killed and 13 injured in Kenyan boarding school fire

At least 17 children were killed and 13 others were seriously injured in a fire that broke out in a Kenyan school dormitory while the students were asleep, according to local authorities on Friday.

The fire erupted on Thursday night at Hillside Endarasha Primary in Nyeri County.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, and the death toll may increase, as per Police spokesperson Resila Onyango.

Onyango mentioned that additional rescuers were on their way to the school, and updates will be provided by the authorities.

President William Ruto responded on the X social media platform, describing the news as “devastating.”

“Our thoughts are with the families of the children who have lost their lives in the fire tragedy at the Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County,” Ruto wrote. “We pray for speedy recovery to the survivors.”

Ruto stated that he has directed the relevant authorities to conduct an investigation.

“The Government under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of the National Government is mobilising all the necessary resources to support the affected families,” he added.

Ruto’s deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, also offered condolences on X. “We join the families, the school, and the entire country in mourning these young departed souls.”

Many students opt for Kenyan boarding schools to minimize travel time and focus on their studies. In 2017, a school fire in Nairobi resulted in the loss of 10 high school students.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

This is a developing story and will be updated.