David Kinyua and his wife, Mary Wanjeri, have been identified as the proprietors of the ill-fated Hillside Endarasha Academy, where a tragic fire claimed the lives of 21 students last week.
Kinyua is reported to have founded the institution approximately 15 years ago, leading to the creation of a school that garnered significant admiration from parents due to its academic achievements.
Prior to 2017, Hillside Endarasha Academy, a private mixed primary school, was relatively unknown.
Its prominence surged in 2017 when it produced the top KCPE candidate in Nyeri County, Kellen Njambi, who achieved an impressive score of 443 marks, alongside more than nine other students who scored 400 marks or higher.
On Tuesday, law enforcement officials indicated that Kinyua is actively participating in the ongoing police investigation.
While it has not been confirmed that he has provided formal statements, Homicide Director Martin Nyuguto stated that Kinyua is cooperating with the authorities.
The Hillside Endarasha Academy fire tragedy occurred on September 5, 2024, in Nyeri County, Kenya, resulting in the deaths of at least 21 pupils.
The fire broke out in a dormitory housing students from Grades 5 to 8, reportedly starting from an electrical fault when a bulb exploded, igniting nearby mattresses.
Survivors described a chaotic scene as students attempted to escape thick smoke and flames.
Tragically, the main door was reportedly locked from the outside, severely hampering evacuation efforts.
The dormitory’s construction, with closely spaced wooden beds and cardboard partitions, contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, making it difficult for students to escape.
An audit from 2020 had previously warned that many schools, including Hillside, lacked adequate fire safety measures, such as proper firefighting equipment and clear evacuation routes.
The community is now demanding accountability and answers regarding the school’s safety protocols and the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire and to hold responsible parties accountable.
