A devastating fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County claimed the lives of 17 learners on Friday, 6th September 2024. The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has issued a heartfelt message of condolence to the grieving families, mourning the tragic loss of the young students in the inferno.
Collins Henry Oyuu, the Secretary-General of KNUT, expressed sorrow at the incident, calling it a tragic and regrettable loss.
“It is unfortunate and regrettable that we can lose our children through such incidences today,” Oyuu said. He extended a call for calm among the public and the affected families, urging them to remain patient as the authorities conduct investigations into the cause of the fire.
KNUT has appealed to the government’s security apparatus to expedite the investigation and uncover the root of the disaster.
The Union also extended prayers for the learners who sustained injuries in the fire and are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals in Nyeri County and beyond. "We pray that they get a quick recovery and resume their normal learning and lives," Oyuu added.
In his message, Oyuu also prayed for strength for the affected families, acknowledging the difficulty of the moment and asking for divine comfort. "We pray that the Lord strengthens the affected families through these difficult moments of grief and ask that the Lord rests the souls of the young ones in Eternal Peace. Amen."
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community as families, teachers, and learners grapple with the tragedy. Authorities are expected to provide further updates as investigations proceed.