Fire at Kenya primary school kills 17, bodies “burnt beyond recognition”

According to police, the death toll may rise as more than a dozen people have suffered severe burn injuries and are undergoing treatment in hospital.

Investigations have been launched to determine the cause of the fire that broke out at the Hillside Andarasha Primary School in Nyeri County. The fire broke out around midnight and engulfed rooms where children were sleeping.

Kenya National Police Service spokeswoman Rasila Onyango told CNN that the bodies were “so badly burned they were beyond identification.”

Kenya's President William Ruto expressed his condolences at this “devastating news”, Ruto said in a post on x “Our thoughts are with the families of the children who lost their lives in the fire tragedy at the Hillside Andarasha Academy in Nyeri County.”

“I direct the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into this horrific incident. Those responsible will be held accountable,” Ruto said in his post, adding that his government was “mobilising all necessary resources to assist the affected families.”

The Kenya Red Cross also issued a statement on Friday saying it would provide “psychological support services to students, teachers and affected families.”