At least 18 students killed in Kenya boarding school fire

President Ruto says those responsible will be ‘held to account’ for the blaze that also injured 27 pupils.

A fire ripped through the dormitory of a boarding school in central Kenya, killing 18 boys who were sleeping and injuring 27 others, police and government officials said.

The death toll could rise, police warned on Friday, following the disaster at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in Nyeri county, as the survivors are being treated in numerous hospitals.

Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said the boys were in grades 4 to 8, putting their ages at about nine to 13 years. The dormitory housed 156 boys.

Police said the average age of the victims was around nine.

Vice President Rigathi Gachagua said 70 pupils remained unaccounted for, although he added that some may have been taken home by their parents in the night.

The cause of the fire on Thursday night was being investigated, police spokeswoman Resila Onyango said, adding that “necessary action” would be taken.