Nyeri High Court Orders Closure of Dormitory at Hillside Academy, Endarasha

Nyeri High Court Orders Boarding Facility Closure at Hillside Endarasha Academy Following Deadly Fire

The Nyeri High Court has ordered the closure of boarding facilities at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni Constituency, citing unresolved safety concerns in the wake of a tragic fire that occurred on September 5.

The devastating blaze tore through one of the school’s dormitories, killing 21 boys and injuring over a dozen others. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, prompting calls for more thorough investigations and accountability from the school administration.

The ruling, delivered on Friday, October 11, follows petitions by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), the Elimu Bora Working Group, and a concerned parent, David Karani. The petitioners argued that despite ongoing renovations, the school had not adequately addressed the safety of students.

Justice Isaac Ondigi, who presided over the case, allowed the school to remain open for academic purposes but deemed the dormitories unsafe for occupation.

“Although the academic term is nearing its end, the threat to the students’ safety remains too great to ignore,” Justice Ondigi stated, ordering that no pupils should stay in the boarding facilities until further assessments are conducted.

This order comes just days after the school had reopened on Wednesday following a month-long closure. The Ministry of Education had initially cleared the school to resume operations after quality assurance officers inspected the premises and deemed them safe. However, the court’s ruling casts doubt on those assurances, citing unresolved structural issues.

The dormitory that caught fire housed 152 boys on the night of the disaster, just shy of its 156-student capacity. Despite ongoing renovation efforts, the court has now required the school to conduct a more comprehensive evaluation of the dormitories’ safety before allowing students to return.

Additionally, the court has mandated that the school submit detailed reports on health and safety measures, as well as the structural integrity of the dormitories, to the relevant authorities by October 16. Failure to meet this deadline could result in stricter penalties or a prolonged closure of the boarding facilities.

The fire and the court’s ruling have sparked a wave of public outrage, with advocacy groups and parents demanding action.

Jane Njogu, the Nyeri County Director of Education, had previously reassured parents that significant repairs were underway and that masons were working tirelessly to ensure the dormitories would be safe for the students’ return.

Nevertheless, the court’s decision signals that more work is needed to ensure the safety and well-being of students at Hillside Endarasha Academy.