Kenya: 17 Students Burn to Death in Dormitory Fire
The Facts
At least 17 children have died and 13 others have been seriously burned after a fire ripped through the dormitory of a boarding school, Hillside Endarasha Primary, in the Kenyan county of Nyeri Thursday night.
According to a government official, the boys were aged between 9 and 13. They were sleeping when the blaze engulfed them, reportedly burning them beyond recognition.
The Spin
Another boarding school, another blaze, and another loss of innocent lives — Kenya has learned nothing from previous fatal school fires. The country's education system isn't designed to handle school fires, many of which have turned out to be arson, allegedly fueled by drug abuse, overcrowding, and living conditions. How many more schoolchildren have to die to bring attention to safety standards or lack of it in Kenyan boarding schools?
Though the cause of the fire remains unknown, those responsible will be held accountable for the loss and injury of so many young souls. Additionally, the government will review the security management of all boarding schools and ask school administrators to follow safety guidelines recommended by the education ministry. While the tragic incident is being thoroughly investigated, health agencies have been mobilizing all the necessary resources to support affected parents and the school community.
