CS Kithure Kindiki Under Fire After Directive to Hillside Endarasha Academy Parents Sparks Uproar
In the wake of a devastating fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy that claimed the lives of 17 students, the government’s response has drawn sharp criticism from Kenyans.
The tragic incident occurred on Thursday night, September 5, when a fire engulfed one of the school’s dormitories, sending shockwaves through the community and the nation.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, panic-stricken parents and guardians rushed to the school, hastily removing their children from the premises without formal clearance from authorities. This spontaneous evacuation, driven by overwhelming fear and anxiety, prompted a controversial response from government officials.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang called on parents to return the children to the school for official accounting and psychological support. “All parents who picked their children must report to the command and logistics centre so that we can begin the reconciliation of accounting,” Kindiki stated.
He further emphasized the need for counselling and medical support, urging anyone providing refuge to the children to bring them back. “On behalf of the government, we are appealing to any person who might be giving refuge to a child to avail that child so that we can be able to account for our children. Those children also require counselling and medical support; therefore, they should be produced,” added the CS.
However, this directive has not sat well with the public. Many Kenyans have expressed outrage, accusing the government of being insensitive to the trauma experienced by the students and their families.
ENDARASHA, NYERI COUNTY, KENYA
— Kithure Kindiki (@KindikiKithure) September 6, 2024
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2024
This morning, Kenya woke up to the devastating news of the tragic loss and severe injury on lovely children of Kieni Hillside Academy in Nyeri County as a result of a terrible pre-dawn fire which razed down their… pic.twitter.com/HwwTL6mDlZ
Former nominated senator Millicent Omanga voiced her disapproval, saying, “This is utterly wrong! These children miraculously escaped death in that inferno. The children & their parents are traumatized. Many were rushed to hospitals for medical care. Thus, asking that they be taken back to the scene of the fire incident is inhumane. Devise other means of accounting for the learners if that’s the intention.”
The sentiment was echoed across social media, with users questioning the government’s understanding of the psychological impact on the students. “The children are safe in their parents’ hands. Does PS Belio understand what PTSD is?” asked Kelvin Kusienya, while another critic, Gachie, argued, “Why would I return my child if it’s evident that the environment is unsafe? He should be able to put himself in the shoes of those parents and those scared students and reason logically.”
Others called for a more thoughtful approach from the government, suggesting that the students should be kept away from the scene to aid in their emotional recovery. “As a psychologist, the children need to be far away from the scene to start healing from the trauma,” noted Alexander Ngatia.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion on the government’s crisis management strategies and the need for more compassionate handling of such sensitive situations.
In Other News: President Ruto Orders Flags At Half-Mast To Honour Hillside Endarasha Tragedy
CS Kithure Kindiki Under Fire After Directive to Hillside Endarasha Academy Parents Sparks Uproar
