Late Saturday, yet another fire erupted at a girls’ boarding school in central Kenya, leaving at least three students injured and causing significant property damage.
This latest incident at Isiolo Girls High School marks a disturbing trend in the region, coming just days after the devastating blaze at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri, where 21 students tragically lost their lives.
According to the Kenya Red Cross, the fire was contained by early Sunday, and three minor injuries were recorded. Meanwhile, police spokesperson Resila Onyango confirmed that the fire had been brought under control but, as usual, failed to provide any useful details about its cause. Are we really surprised? The authorities seem to be more skilled at playing the blame game than actually finding solutions.
Flashlights flickered through the wreckage of the dormitories as police, fire, and rescue squads struggled to search for students and whatever property might still be salvageable. But for the students caught in the middle of these avoidable tragedies, what is left? Memories of terror, sleepless nights, and the haunting sight of burnt belongings. And let’s not forget the scars, both physical and emotional, that some will carry for life.
The fire at Isiolo Girls High School is a harsh reminder of the earlier catastrophe at Hillside Endarasha Academy, where the initial death toll of 17 quickly jumped to 21. According to a government statement seen on Sunday, 19 bodies were found at the scene, while two more victims succumbed to their injuries in hospitals.
It’s hard to believe that in this day and age, schools are still prone to such deadly fires. Who is responsible for the safety of these children? Why do we keep hearing the same empty reassurances from the authorities while our young continue to suffer? The government seems more interested in updating death tolls than taking concrete action to prevent these recurring disasters. How many more students need to die before we finally wake up and address this madness?
This latest fire is more than just an unfortunate event; it’s a clear indictment of the incompetence and negligence that have taken root in the system. And while officials will undoubtedly offer their shallow and weak promises to “investigate” the causes, it’s the students and their families who are left to pick up the pieces of shattered lives. What a sad state of affairs.
