Procession begins as Nyeri prepares to lay Hillside Academy fire victims to rest

The procession left Naromoru Morgue at 6am on Thursday heading to the premise and mourners are already streaming in.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba are expected to be in attendance among other leaders.

Reports indicate that nine children are set to be buried today, 10 on Friday and 2 on Saturday. Three of the victims will be buried in Laikipia, Ndaragwa and Nakuru.

Following the deadly fire, 19 bodies were recovered from the charred dormitory and two children died while receiving treatment in hospital.

Their remains were later positively identified through a DNA matching profile conducted by Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor and his examination team.

A multi-agency team was then formed to contact the parents of the deceased pupils to arrange for them to view the remains.

The government has donated Ksh.100 thousand to cover emergencies as they lay children to rest. 

The school is set to be reopened as soon as the management conforms to the Ministry of Education guidelines on school infrastructure.

The committee that was formed after the fire tragedy at the school has recommended, among other things, a reduction in the number of boarders to allow decongestion.

It also wants all timber structures done away with, and all boarding requirements met before the school reopens.