Endarasha Hillside Tragedy: Family still searching for son five days after school inferno

Angeline Wambui, mother to 11-year-old Robinson Theuri, a Grade 6 pupil at Endarasha Hillside Academy, is still in distress five days after the inferno at the school claimed the lives of 21 boys.

Wambui’s hope hinges on the account of one of her son’s classmates, who has repeatedly confirmed that Theuri was saved alongside him and directed to one of the classrooms at the school before the classmate left with his mother.

Despite her smile, Wambui is hurting. She spent most of Tuesday visiting hospitals in Nyeri County searching for her son, despite the government announcement that all pupils have been accounted for.

“One of his classmates has claimed that they were rescued together. They were even given a blanket to share amongst themselves,” said Wambui.

“The mother of my son’s classmate lives around the school so she went to pick him up. She didn’t know where my son was since the pupils were instructed to wait for their parents in different classrooms.”

Wambui has also presented herself for DNA testing, having travelled from Mombasa, where she resides.

If her son is found to be among the 19 children whose bodies are at the Naromoru Level IV morgue when an autopsy is performed on the remains tomorrow, Angeline says it will be hard to believe, as she was informed that he was among those rescued.

“I have not accepted that my son is gone because of his classmate’s account. They are classmates so they know each other well,” said Wambui.

“Mtoto wangu alibaki shule lakini hatujamuona na hatujaskia chochote. Nilienda jana nikatoa DNA ndio tuone kama itamatch na mwili yoyote. Lakini kama haitamatch watajua ni vipi."

With five days having passed, Wambui’s agony is palpable as she tries to stay strong, hoping that eventually, her burden will be eased with news of her son’s whereabouts.