Kindiki revealed that he had observed Kenyans sharing all manner of conspiracy theories regarding the tragedy, some of which were viewed to be a breach of national security.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Thursday, September 12 urged Kenyans to tread cautiously in terms of revealing explicit details surrounding the fire tragedy at Hillside Endarasha Junior Secondary School in Nyeri County, amidst claims regarding the children that reportedly went missing after the inferno.
Speaking during his visit to the school, Kindiki revealed that he had observed Kenyans sharing all manner of conspiracy theories regarding the tragedy, some of which were viewed to be a breach of national security.
He appealed to the people of Kenya and those on social media to take national security and public safety issues with a little more sensitivity and decorum, firing at individuals who twisted the matter to satisfy an agenda.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki during his visit to Hillside Endarasha Academy on September 6, 2024. /KITHURE KINDIKI
“We can joke about many things especially in this country where we like doing politics, arguing and disagreeing…but when it comes to serious things like the deaths of our people, it is such a serious matter that you would be a very heartless human being to try and trivialize, cast aspersions or try to make the matter look like it is a small matter which is subject to banter and debate,” he told off netizens, reminding them of the sensitive nature of all security communications.
“I repeat, security communication is sensitive. It must be done carefully, by the right person who has the authority to say that. There are some things that even I cannot say, but I would defer to the relevant agencies to say it themselves. So let us be careful because it is clear, dear Kenyans that we lost children and it is a bad thing.”
The CS also took note of some Kenyans spreading misleading figures regarding the number of those affected by the incident as well as those that were alleged to be still missing, terming the individuals propagating the rumours as merciless criminals who wished nothing good for the country.
He assured Kenyans that the government was not hiding any detail, especially on a national security matter, and that updates would be provided on the Hillside tragedy on a timely basis once the information obtained is verified and made credible for dissemination to members of the public.
“I want to put the record straight, for the avoidance of doubt and say a matter like this is a national security matter, that’s why you are seeing us here, from time to time. If it wasn’t a national security matter, the security minister would not be coming here every two other days.
“Being a national security matter, we have made it very clear that we have nothing to hide. We will provide information on a daily basis but what we have asked is for that information be given in a coordinated way so that all the agencies collate the information and one of our colleagues who is here on that particular moment when the information is being released is able to share it with members of the public as accurately and as verifiable as it can get,” he added.
To prove his sentiments, Kindiki noted that all the 330 pupils who had boarded at the school were accounted for and that 140 pupils residing inside the affected dormitory had already been reunited with their parents with three still undergoing treatment.
“Today, I have been reliably informed that the process of reconciliation of the pupils to their parents is complete,” the CS commented.
Furthermore, out of the total enrollment of 843, 513 were day scholars. Three boys in boarding are in hospital as 21 boys died in the tragedy.
The CS clarified that investigations were still ongoing and urged Kenyans to exercise patience even as security agencies heightened their efforts to unravel the truth.
Earlier on Thursday, a group of activists staged demonstrations near the affected school, demanding answers from the authorities regarding how the tragedy really occurred that led to the death of the boys.
However, the adamant protesters were repulsed by a section of local residents and police officers, the former threatening to torch the vehicles they arrived in.
The contingent of activists who included Kasmuel McOure had gathered outside the entrance to the school demanding to know how 70 students disappeared from the school following the inferno, a claim previously made by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in the aftermath of the incident on the night of September 6, last week.
Police and residents during heated confrontations outside Hillside Endarasha Academy on September 12, 2024. /NJOKI NJANJA.X