President Ruto declares 3 days of national mourning following Hillside fire tragedy

President William Ruto has declared a three-day national mourning period following the deaths of 17 pupils at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County Thursday night.

Fire outbreak at Hillside School

 

The pupils died after a fire broke out in a dormitory at the school around 11pm.

“As a solemn testament to the indelible mark left upon the nation’s consciousness by the spirits of the seventeen departed children, Kenya shall observe three days of national mourning,” Ruto said in a statement.

 

 

He further directed that the Kenyan and the East African Community (EAC) flags be flown at half-mast during the mourning period.

 

The flags will be flown at half-mast from dawn on Monday, September 9, 2024 until sunset on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.

”THAT, during this period of national mourning, the Flag of the Republic of Kenya and that of the East African Community (EAC) shall be flown at half-mast at State House, all Kenyan Diplomatic Missions, Public Buildings, Public Grounds, all Military Bases, Posts, Stations, all Naval Vessels of the Republic of Kenya, and throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kenya, from dawn Monday, 9th September 2024 until sunset on Wednesday, 11th September 2024” Said the President

This will be done at the State House, all Kenyan diplomatic Missions, public buildings, public grounds, all military bases, posts, stations, all Naval vessels of the Republic of Kenya and throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Kenya.