President William Ruto has declared three full days of mourning to honour tragedy victims of the Hillside Endarasha Academy school who were burnt to death.
According to reports, President Ruto issued the directive after eighteen students were confirmed death in the overnight fire tragedy at the Hillside Endarasha Academy.
In a statement from China where he is in a state visit, President Ruto expressed his heartfelt condolences and declared the three days mourning period for the fire tragedy victims
Also Read: Over 70 Pupils Still Missing at Hillside Endarasha As Death Toll Rises To 18
“As a solemn testament to the indelible mark left upon the nation’s consciousness by the spirits of the eighteen departed children, Kenya shall observe a three-day period of national mourning.”
During this time, the President has mandated that the flags of Kenya and the East African Community (EAC) be flown at half-mast. This directive extends to the State House, all Kenyan diplomatic missions, public buildings, public grounds, military bases, naval vessels, and across the entire country, from dawn on Monday until sunset on Wednesday.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has disclosed that 70 students are still unaccounted for. This figure does not necessarily indicate casualties but includes students who might have been taken home by their parents or remain lost amidst the chaos.
The search for missing students continues as the government and humanitarian agencies work tirelessly to account for those affected by the catastrophic inferno at the Hillside Endarasha Academy school in Nyeri.
Also Read: New Details Emerge About The Blunder That Led To Death Of 17 Pupils At Endarasha
According to Gachagua, 27 are hospitalised with injuries, and 37 have been located with their parents. Despite these efforts, the remaining 70 students’ whereabouts are still unknown leaving families traumatised.