Mystery Deepens Over Missing Hillside Matron as DCI Investigates School Fire Tragedy
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are leaving no stone unturned as they investigate the tragic fire that claimed the lives of 21 students at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County.
The fire, which engulfed the boys’ dormitory on the night of Thursday, September 5, has shocked the local community and raised serious questions about the safety of school infrastructure.
At the center of the probe is the mysterious absence of the school’s matron, who was responsible for overseeing the well-being of the boys. Investigators are exploring three key leads: the matron’s unexplained disappearance, the structural integrity of the dormitory, and the possibility of an electrical malfunction.
The DCI is particularly keen to understand why the matron was not present during the incident. Her absence has raised concerns about whether her presence could have altered the course of the deadly event.
Sources close to the investigation indicate that detectives are investigating reports that the matron may have been involved in an accident, which allegedly prevented her from reporting to duty that evening.
However, conflicting information has surfaced, suggesting that she may not have formally communicated her inability to perform her duties. “We are determined to find out what led to this tragic incident,” DCI Director Abraham Mugambi said in a statement. He assured the public that forensic teams are working closely with other stakeholders to piece together what happened.
In addition to questioning the matron’s role, investigators are scrutinizing the building materials used in the dormitory’s construction. Initial findings suggest that the dormitory was built with iron sheets and wood, highly flammable materials that contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
Mugambi further revealed that the DCI has summoned the academy’s proprietor to explain why substandard materials were used in the construction of the dormitory, which housed 156 boys at the time of the fire.
As the investigation deepens, the possibility of an electrical fault is also under examination. Detectives are investigating whether an attempt to switch off the lights at the main meter might have triggered the blaze. Whether the matron, had she been present, would have been responsible for this task remains a critical question for the investigators.
The tragic incident has left the entire country grappling with grief and demanding accountability. Parents are planning demonstrations at the school, demanding answers and action to prevent such an incident from ever happening again.
Forensic experts have been combing through the charred remains of the dormitory, with autopsies scheduled for Thursday, September 12.
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Mystery Deepens Over Missing Hillside Matron as DCI Investigates School Fire Tragedy
