Post-Mortem on Hillside Endarasha Academy Fire Victims Postponed.
The post-mortem examination of 21 children who died in last week’s fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy has been delayed until Thursday, September 12. This postponement is to allow grieving parents the opportunity to view the bodies of their deceased children.
Police have not disclosed how many individuals have provided statements regarding the tragedy but indicated that Mr. David Kinyua, the school’s owner, is fully cooperating with the detectives investigating the incident.
Chief Government Pathologist, Dr. Johansen Oduor, explained that the decision to postpone the post-mortem was made due to the overwhelming number of families who visited Naromoru Level Four Hospital mortuary. Their presence disrupted forensic procedures.
Dr. Oduor noted that they had decided to prioritize the families’ need for closure and would resume the post-mortem on Thursday evening.
Supporting Agencies Present
On Wednesday, September 11, representatives from various agencies, including the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), the Government Chemist, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Kenya Red Cross, the Directorate of Child Services, and the Ministry of Health, alongside counselors, were present to support the process.
A mortuary employee revealed that the state of some bodies was so severe that conducting autopsies was challenging. The bodies had been badly burned, and after being stored in freezers since Saturday, September 7, they had frozen, further complicating the post-mortem process.
Parents who viewed the remains of their children were devastated and too distraught to speak to the media. One parent, visibly emotional, expressed frustration over the prolonged process, urging the government to expedite it so they could begin healing by burying their children.
Planned Peaceful Protest by Parents
On Wednesday, September 11, angered parents nationwide announced plans for a peaceful march to the school on Friday, September 13. They intend to demand answers from the government regarding the fire tragedy.
In a discussion hosted on X Space by Raymond @imbayik, over 300 users, particularly women, voiced support for the bereaved families and expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s slow enforcement of regulations that ensure school safety.
Raymond, a communications and media expert, organized the X Space to help unite women across the country and show solidarity with the mothers who lost their children.
She emphasized the incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy could happen to anyone, and there are plans to meet with the affected parents and speak with school administrators and County Education Officers for clarity on what transpired.
Calls for Justice and Accountability
Sofia Rajab, a human rights lawyer, criticized the government’s failure to determine the cause of the fire six days after the incident. She expressed disappointment that many politicians had remained silent and called for accountability from the government and the school owner.
Another X user, Ajehlene Choiga, raised concerns about the circumstances of the fire, specifically reports that the dormitory was locked on the night of the tragedy.
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She called for clear answers from the government, asserting that so far, the information provided has been superficial.
Post-Mortem on Hillside Endarasha Academy Fire Victims Postponed.
