Caskets bearing the remains of 21 learners who died in a fire incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy in nyeri lined up at Mweiga Stadium during an interdenominational memorial service on Sept 26, 2024. [Kibata Kihu, Standard]

The interdenominational memorial service for the 21 learners who died in a fire incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri was today held at the Mweiga Stadium.

The service took place in Kieni West approximately 24 Kilometres away from Endarasha Hillside Academy where the tragedy happened.

21 candles lit in hour of the departed souls. [Kiabata Kihu, Standard]

One of the school’s dormitories which had housed 156 boys was gutted down by fire on September 6 leaving the 21 learners dead.

The service came nearly a week after government pathologist Johansen Oduor confirmed that the DNA samples of the victims had been run and matched with their parents.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua among government officials who attended the memorial service. [Kibata Kihu, Standard]

"We have received the results of the 21 pupils who died in the tragedy, and they have positively matched with those of their parents," he said.

At the venue, 21 caskets bearing the remains of victims had been lined up capturing the reality and exposing what happened on the fateful dark night.

Families, relatives and friends were in a sorrowful mood, tears rolling freely on their faces as they came to terms with the loss, sadness and depression.

Kenya Red Cross personnel set up several tents to offer physical social support sessions while volunteers are giving backup support.

The Disaster Management Committee coordinated with the representatives of the parents of the victims and members of the Endarasha Hillside Academy.

According to Central Region Commissioner Pius Murugu,  the service was scheduled to be concluded by 11:00am to allow the bereaved families to proceed with the burial of their kin to their final resting destination.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos and his Principle Secretary Belio Kipsang were also present. [Kibata Kihu, Standard]

Although investigations into what triggered the fire are still ongoing, reports indicate that the ill-fated dormitory was infested by bed bugs.

Pupils who spoke to The Standard on anonymity said when they resumed school after the August holiday, they found bed bugs had run down the said dormitory.

“Every time we open we find it difficult to sleep for the first few days. We stay awake the whole night due to itchiness,” they said.

The learners said this forces them to use candles at night to scare away the bed bugs which mostly hide in the cracks of wooden beds.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his DAP counterpart Eugene Wamalwa among politicians who attended the service. [Kibata Kihu, Standard]

Photos by Kibata Kihu.