Youthful Kenyans Storm Hillside Endarasha Demanding Justice for Endarasha Fire Victims

 In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…

• Activists traveled to Hillside Academy, demanding justice for 21 pupils who died in a fire and a search for missing students.

• They faced opposition from locals and police, despite government assurances that all students are accounted for.

A group of Kenyans gathered at Hillside Academy School in Endarasha, Nyeri, demanding a faster search for over 70 missing pupils and justice for the 21 who tragically died in a fire last week. 

The group, which quickly mobilized under the hashtag #OccupyEndarasha on X (formerly Twitter), traveled from Nairobi on Thursday, September 16, some using matatus while others came in private vehicles.

The movement was led by a woman named Nerima, who identifies herself as an author on X. She was joined by prominent figures including X users Njoki Njanja, Njoki Ndung'u, and singer-turned-activist Kasmuel McOure. 

Before arriving at Endarasha, the activists shared their plans online, encouraging more Kenyans to join their journey. 

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Their goal was to pressure both the government and the school’s management for answers regarding the tragic incident.

However, upon reaching the school, the group faced resistance from local men, reportedly acting on instructions from authorities. 

Nerima posted photos showing some of these men dressed in heavy clothing and wielding sticks. Njoki Ndung'u took to X, writing, "Fools in a probox have blocked the road telling us 'mkubwa amesema hakuna mtu anapita.' 

We are now walking to the school. We have been met with rungus and so much hostility! #OccupyEndarasha."

Earlier, Njoki had also posted that roadblocks were being set up to stop their movement, adding that six matatus suspected of carrying protesters had been turned away. 

McOure, who arrived later, shared a video showing a blocked road and police involvement. 

He reported that a Probox had been strategically parked to prevent access to the school, while there was also a notable presence of local "goons."

Njoki Njanja echoed similar frustrations, stating, "Tumefika but wametufungia barabara. We are like 100 metres away from the school." 

Her videos depicted a white Probox parked near the school gate, with several police officers nearby.

The activists’ visit came just two days after the government assured the public that all 330 students—166 girls and 164 boys—were accounted for after the tragic fire at Hillside Academy. 

However, despite this assurance from Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura, some parents were still searching for their missing children over a week after the incident.

On the same day, a preliminary investigation by Kenya Power ruled out a faulty electrical line as the cause of the fire, confirming that the installations supplying the school were intact at the time. 

Still, the activists remained unconvinced and continued their push for more thorough investigations and answers.