President William Ruto has instructed relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the fire outbreak in one of the dormitories at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni West, Nyeri County, which has claimed at least 17 lives. 

In a statement, the president promised that those responsible for the incident would face the full force of the law. 

He also condoled with the families who lost their loved ones in the tragedy. 

"Our thoughts are with the families of the children who have lost their lives in the fire tragedy at the Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County. This is devastating news. We pray for speedy recovery to the survivors," the head of state said. 

"I instruct relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this horrific incident. Those responsible will be held to account. The Government under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of the National Government is mobilising all the necessary resources to support the affected families," he added. 

Echoing his sentiments, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged schools to enforce safety measures as stipulated by the Ministry of Education to avoid future incidents. 

"We join the families, the school and the rest of the country in mourning these young departed souls. We pray for a quick recovery of the survivors of this inferno. May God grant the families the fortitude to bear the loss," Gachagua noted. 

"We ask schools to enforce safety and security measures as outlined by the Ministry of Education and other agencies to avert such incidences."

The incident, which occurred on Thursday night, was confirmed by National Police Service Spokesperson Dr Resila Onyango who added that 14 other pupils were nursing injuries and had been rushed to hospital. 

She confirmed that the cause of the fire is yet to be established.