Tragic Fire in Kenyan School Dormitory Claims 21 Young Lives

A devastating fire in a school dormitory in central Kenya has claimed the lives of 21 children. The blaze occurred on Thursday night, destroying a dormitory housing 156 boys. The government is investigating the cause of the fire and working to identify the victims, some of whom were burned beyond recognition.

A devastating fire engulfed a school dormitory in central Kenya, tragically claiming the lives of 21 children, the government spokesperson confirmed on Saturday.

Authorities have begun the grim task of retrieving bodies and identifying dozens of missing boys. Parents and local residents are urged to assist in accounting for those still unaccounted for.

Officials, including a government pathologist and morticians from Nyeri provincial hospital, set up operations outside the dormitory to manage the identification process, which could take days due to the extent of the burns.

The fire, which erupted on Thursday night, razed a dormitory that sheltered 156 boys aged between 10 and 14. Over 100 boys have been found, with efforts ongoing to locate the rest.

Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura appealed for public patience as investigations continue to determine the fire's origins and casualties. Some children were burned beyond recognition, necessitating a DNA process.

President William Ruto declared a three-day mourning period, while police probe the fire's cause. Meanwhile, anxious parents were allowed to view the dormitory remnants on Friday, many breaking down at the tragic sight.

The government called for stricter boarding guidelines, emphasizing the need for spacious dormitories with accessible escape routes. School fires, often linked to arson, drug abuse, and overcrowding, are a recurring issue in Kenyan boarding schools.

The 2017 fire that killed 10 high school students in Nairobi and the deadliest incident in 2001, where 67 students perished in Machakos county, underscore the ongoing crisis.

(With inputs from agencies.)