At least 17 students killed in school fire in Kenya

At least 17 students have been killed after a fire in a school dormitory in Kenya. The number of dead may rise, police said, adding that at least 13 students have been seriously burned.

The cause of the fire Thursday night at Hillside Endarasha Primary in Nyeri county was being investigated, a police spokesperson said.

In a post on X, President William Ruto called on the authorities "to thoroughly investigate this horrific incident" and hold those responsible to account.

The school has been cordoned off, Kenya Red Cross said on X, adding it was providing "psychosocial support services" to those affected by "the tragic fire incident".

The fire had burnt the students beyond recognition, Citizen Television said earlier.

AFP quoted police as saying the fire started at about midnight, with flames engulfing the dormitory as pupils slept.

Vice president Rigathi Gachagua urged school administrators to ensure that safety guidelines recommended by the education ministry for boarding schools are being followed.

School fires are common in Kenyan boarding schools, where many students stay because parents believe it gives them more time to study without long commutes.

Some fires have been started by students during protests over the workload or living conditions. In 2017, 10 high school students died in a school fire in the capital, Nairobi.

In 2001, 58 schoolboys were killed in a dormitory fire at Kyanguli Secondary School outside Nairobi.

In 2012, eight students were killed at a school in Homa Bay County in western Kenya.

credit: Sky News