The mystery surrounding the cause of a tragic fire that claimed the lives of 21 learners at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni constituency, Nyeri County, has taken a new twist after Kenya Power absolved itself of fault.

The statement from the country’s power supply firm comes as the affected families and Kenyans at large demand answers on the cause of the inferno that occurred on Thursday night in the boy’s dormitory at the institution.

Addressing the media yesterday, Kenya Power’s Nyeri County business manager Duncan Machuka said that when the incident occurred, the power line, which stretches from Mweiga sub-station, was stable with no reported incidents.

Machuka narrated that, according to investigators at the firm, the fire did not affect two meters located within the larger school’s complex that are supplied by a transformer.

“Based on the findings of the preliminary analysis of our protection system, from the meter box to the sub-station where the medium voltage line serving the school emanates from, we have ascertained there was no link between the cause of the fire and any fault on our network as alleged in sections of media reports,” the business manager said.

“All Kenya Power installations including the meter, supply cable, earthings, low voltage and high tension fuses and the transformer were intact. The power line supplying the school is of low voltage,” he added.

He said that the firm instantly switched off power supply to the school and dispatched a team of investigators to conduct analysis of the incident.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families during this difficult time and we wish quick recovery to all the children who were affected by this incident,” Machuka said.

Pupils accounted for

The revelation by Kenya Power comes a day after the government announced that all the boys’ population at the school have already been accounted for.

Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura, in a press statement sent to newsrooms on Monday, said the school comprised 330 boarders who included 164 boys and 166 girls before the inferno broke out on Thursday night in the boys’ dormitory.

Mwaura said two of the boys died while receiving treatment at the hospital while 19 other bodies were recovered from the burnt dormitory.

“All girls are at home with their parents while all the 164 boys have been accounted for. The parents of the 19 learners who succumbed are yet to identify their children. They will proceed to Naromoru for autopsy and processing. They will also receive mental health and psychosocial support,” he said.

The Spokesman assured Kenyans that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) together with the government pathologist are working round the clock to complete a scientific analysis.

Mwaura said the Ministry of Health will partner with the National Emergency Operations Centre (NDOC) and National Government Administrative Organs (NGAO) in building capacities of the communities to prepare, mitigate and respond to emergencies and disasters countrywide.

On Friday evening, President William Ruto said the tragic incident has compelled the country to ensure that there is accountability in all learning institutions countrywide and take the necessary action to secure learners from such calamities.

Social development

“No child should lose their life in a place that is meant to be a safe haven for education, growth, and social development,” Dr Ruto said in his presidential proclamation statement on the incident.

He assured the affected families of the government’s support for the injured children.

“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,” the President said.

“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,” he added.