The death toll from a fire at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in Nyeri, central Kenya, has risen to at least 21 after more bodies were found over the weekend. Nineteen bodies were recovered at the scene, while two children succumbed to their injuries in hospital. According to government pathologist Johansen Oduor, the bodies were severely burned, making identification impossible without DNA testing, which is set to begin on Monday.
The fire, which broke out on Thursday night, engulfed a dormitory housing 156 boys aged 10 to 14. Over 100 boys have been accounted for, but 17 remain missing. Authorities have urged those who rescued students during the blaze to bring them back to aid in the search.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, and the site has been sealed for investigation. President William Ruto has declared three days of national mourning, starting Monday.
In a separate incident, a fire broke out at a girls’ boarding school in Isiolo, also in central Kenya, injuring at least three students and destroying dormitories before it was contained.
