Tragic Eyewitness Accounts Emerge as Hillside Endarasha Fire Inquest Opens

An inquest has begun at the Nyeri Law Courts into the Hillside Academy dormitory fire that killed 21 boys in September 2024.

The proceedings, led by Senior Resident Magistrate Mary Gituma, opened on Thursday with detailed testimony from witnesses who described urgent but unsuccessful efforts to save the children. Parents of the deceased, many holding photographs of their sons, attended the hearing in silence as they awaited a clearer account of how the fire unfolded. 

Their frustration has grown in recent months after the government convened the inquest without first releasing the Directorate of Criminal Investigations report that informed the decision. Civil society groups have since stepped in to support the families’ call for transparency.

Three witnesses recounted the events of the night of 5 September 2024. School matron Beatrice Nduta said she was woken by screams and a knock on her door shortly after settling the girls in their dormitory. On being alerted to the fire in the boys’ quarters, around 30 metres away, she evacuated the girls and then joined villagers and staff in trying to contain the flames. 

Buckets of water from a nearby tank were insufficient. Nduta said she managed to save one boy who had collapsed from smoke inhalation, reviving him with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. She told the court she continues to struggle with the psychological impact of the incident.

Security guard James Maina testified that he had just completed his patrol when he heard shouts of “fire!” from the dormitory. He raised the alarm with his whistle, drawing villagers and staff to the scene. According to Maina, the dormitory had three doors, two of which were usually unlocked, though boys sometimes closed them to keep out mosquitoes. 

He said the fire appeared to have begun near one of the doors, but its cause remains unknown. Some boys escaped through windows, while others were overcome by smoke.

The court was also informed that the dormitory patron, who normally stayed with the boys at night, was absent after being injured in a motorcycle accident the previous day. Witnesses suggested that his absence may have hampered the evacuation.

Parents, represented by advocate Raphael Olieti, have expressed concern over the length of time they were left without information about the investigation. The school management and director, David Kinyua, represented by lawyer Katwa Kigen, questioned witnesses on the actions taken during the emergency. 

Magistrate Gituma adjourned the hearing until 5 February 2026, when additional witnesses are expected to appear.