The Ministry of Education on Friday announced it had commenced a joint investigation with the Ministry of Interior on the root cause of the tragedy at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County.
In a statement, Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang revealed that Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos, who has been on an official trip in China accompanying President William Ruto was on his way back to join local teams to ensure the situation is addressed with utmost urgency.
According to the PS, a multi-agency team was already on the ground leading in the management of the situation.
Kipsang in his update disclosed that the Ministry of Education was also working with the Ministry of Health to ensure that all those injured during the tragedy get adequate medical attention.
"In line with His Excellency President William Ruto's directive, the Ministry of Education is coordinating with security agencies to investigate the root cause of the incident at the school.," Kipsang stated.
While detailing the occurrence, the PS revealed that 17 pupils had so far been confirmed deceased while the 14, nursing critical injuries had been rushed to the nearest hospitals.
Kipsang further noted that the school had an enrolment of 824 pupils out of which 402 were boys while 422 were girls. Of the total enrolment, 156 boys and 160 girls were boarders while the rest were day scholars.
According to Belio Kipsang, all the 156 boys boarders were accommodated in the ill-fated dormitory.
"The Ministry of Education sends its heartfelt condolences to the parents, families and friends of the learners who lost their lives in this regrettable tragedy," Kipsang commented.
The latest update by the Ministry of Education comes barely an hour after President William Ruto directed all the relevant authorities to expedite investigations into the matter and bring to book all those found culpable of possible negligence.
According to the Head of State, the government would take stern action against those found guilty.
"I instruct relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this horrific incident. Those responsible will be held to account," President Ruto directed.
"The Government under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of the National Government is mobilising all the necessary resources to support the affected families."
