The Hillside Endarasha Academy owner, David Kinyua, has announced a raft of measures to protect the pupils following the fire incident that claimed 21 lives.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, Kinyua revealed plans to relocate the dormitory from where the previous one was situated before it was reduced to ashes.
Besides relocating the dorm, the owner also disclosed that the school administration would change the walking path that was previously used by the boys to access the facility, which was burned down.
According to Kinyua, the move would help reduce trauma among the learners.
“Tulikuwa tumeruhusiwa tuanze on Saturday lakini tunajaribu ili tumeet the timeline ya hawa watoto. Tumetoa dorm mahali ilikuwa inafanywa pia tunataka kuipeleka mahali ingine. Pia tumeondoa hata njia ile watoto watakuwa wanapitia especially boys so that hawatakuwa na shida na trauma. (We were allowed to commence on Saturday, and we are trying to meet the timelines. We have moved the dorm to another place, and we have also removed the walking path, especially for boys, so that they will not have issues with trauma),” David Kinyua explained.
Call parents
Before implementing the new raft of measures, Kinyua told the press that he had invited the parents to school for proper planning and counselling.
Kinyua argued that their input would help the school move forward. Also present at the meeting will be a reverend from the local church, education officials, and teachers, Kinyua further detailed.
“We have called the parents, reverend, and education officers to come on Monday, September 23, 2024, so that we can deliberate on how to transition,” Kinyua insisted.
At the same time, Kinyua assured the country that the school formed a committee to ensure that pupils who lost their items in the fire get proper support, including compensation, to enable them to resume classes.
Ruto’s promise
His sentiments come days after President William Ruto vowed to engage him on how to proceed following the fire incident.
Ruto indicated that the school supports hundreds of students in the area and other parts of the country.
“I will also look for Kinyua, the one who built the school, after investigations to see how we can help that institution,” Ruto announced.
Speaking after a church service in Nyeri, Sunday, September 15, 2024, he also gave out Ksh2 million to help students whose items were destroyed in the fire.
“The governor has told me that almost 140 students lost their items following the dormitory fire. Therefore, Wainaina (Kieni MP), you are our handman on the ground, so I will send you again today with Ksh2 million you buy for those whose property was destroyed in the fire new items so that they can go back to school,” Ruto stated.