Hillside Endarasha Academy & 16 other deadliest school fires in Kenya

Parents often send their children to boarding schools, believing it allows them more time to study without the distractions of commuting.

However, school fires have exposed significant safety gaps, leading to severe consequences.

One of the deadliest school fire in Kenya’s history was in 2001, when a dormitory fire at Kyanguli Secondary School, started during a student protest, killed 67 boys.

Hillside Endarasha Academy fire death toll rises to 17 as investigations commence Hillside Endarasha Academy fire death toll rises to 17 as investigations commence Pulse Live Kenya

List of major school fire incidents in Kenya

Over the years, several major school fire incidents have occurred across the country:

St Kizito School (1991): A fire caused by a protest killed 9 girls.
Bombolulu Secondary School (1998): A fire in Kwale County caused the death of 26 girls.
Kyanguli Secondary School (2001): A dormitory fire started by students during a protest led to the death of 67 boys in Machakos County.
Endarasha Boys Secondary School (2010): A dormitory fire led to the death of two students.
Asumbi Girls Secondary School (2012): An electrical fault led to the death of 8 students.
Stephjoy Secondary School (2015): A fire in Limuru led to the death of two boys.
Kaptama Secondary School (2016): Over 100 fires were reported during a period of increased protests.
Mikinduri Girls Secondary School (2016): Fires were reported during student unrests.
Garba Tula Secondary School (2016): Fires were reported during the students' unrest of 2016.
Bura Boys Secondary School (2016): Fires were reported during the students' unrest of 2016.
St Pius X Seminary (2016): Fires were reported during the students' unrest of 2016.
Moi Girls School Nairobi (2017): A dormitory fire led to the death of 10 students.
Kangaru School (2018): Fire incidents were reported.
Kibabii Secondary School (2019): A dormitory fire caused concerns but no casualties.
BuruBuru Girls High School (2021): A fire during protests caused injuries, but no deaths were reported.
Kakamega High School (2021): A fire raised concerns about safety protocols in schools.
Hillside Endarasha Primary School (2024): A dormitory fire caused the death of 17 pupils and left 13 seriously injured.

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Safety standards manual for Kenyan schools

In 2008, the Ministry of Education published a Safety Standards Manual in 2008 to guide schools on the minimum safety requirements for various facilities.

Here are some of the key safety measures outlined in the manual for dormitories and classrooms.

Dormitories

The space between beds should be at least 1.2 metres, with corridor space of at least 2 metres.
Admissions should match the bed capacity since sharing of beds is not allowed.
Doorways should be at least 5 feet wide and should open outwards. They must not be locked from outside when students are inside.
Each dormitory should have doors at both ends and an additional emergency exit in the middle, clearly labelled 'Emergency Exit'.
Windows should be without grills and easy to open outwards.
Fire extinguishing equipment should be available at exits, with fire alarms placed at accessible points.
Regular spot checks should be conducted before bedtime, along with daily roll calls and proper record maintenance.
School security personnel should patrol regularly, and visitors should not be allowed in dormitories.
Bunk beds should be sturdy and fitted with side rails to prevent young students from falling.

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Classrooms

Classrooms should be sized according to the Ministry of Education’s specifications, typically 7.5m x 5.85m or 7.5m x 6.0m.
Each classroom should accommodate no more than 30 students in single desks or 40 in double desks.
Doorways should be wide enough for emergencies, open outwards, and not be locked from the outside when learners are present.
For multi-storey buildings, stairways should be clear of obstructions and accessible for learners with special needs.
Classrooms should be well-ventilated and lit, with easy-to-open windows without grills.
Floors should be level and clean, with prompt repairs for any damage.
Fire extinguishers should be serviced and readily available in all classroom blocks.
Furniture should be suitable for both male and female students, with desks arranged to allow easy movement.