Aston Lukoye
- The DCI stated that investigating teams and experts from the Homicide Department have been dispatched to the private Primary School.
- Experts obtained DNA samples from families who had lost loved ones.
- They stated that all 166 girls sleeping at the center are safe with their parents.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigation has provided information about the continuing investigation into the tragic fire that killed 21 pupils at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni West, Nyeri County.
The DCI released a statement on Wednesday evening stating that investigating teams and experts from the Homicide Department had been dispatched to the private Primary School to investigate the horrific event that has left the country in mourning.
They stated that the investigators are working closely with the Central Disaster Response Committee, fire safety experts, Nyeri County government officials, several important ministries, KPLC, and other relevant authorities.
“We are investigating hard to identify any acts of negligence or commission that may have contributed to this tragedy. “Independent reports from these agencies will aid in our investigation into the cause of the fire,” DCI stated.
The authorities stated that preliminary findings reveal that 140 of the 156 boys who were in the affected dormitory have already been reunited with their families.
They stated that all 166 girls sleeping at the center are safe with their parents.
“Two of the five admitted children died as a result of their injuries. The DCI said that 19 bodies had been retrieved from the demolished dormitory, raising the total number of victims to 21.
According to the directors, 330 students are boarders at the school, including 166 girls and 164 boys. When the fire broke out, eight student had not yet reported for the third term of school.
The DCI also disclosed that government pathologists and directorate experts obtained DNA samples from bereaved families.
“The aim is to match the bodies, which were burnt without being identified, with their loved ones,” they said.
DCI is also collecting information from persons of interest.
The autopsies for the 21 bodies will be performed on Thursday, September 12.
