The Ministry of Education through its Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang has confirmed a tragic fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni West Sub County, Nyeri County which claimed the lives of 17 students last night.

According to a statement Kipsang issued on Friday, the fire that broke out in the boys' dormitory, which housed all 156 boarders completely engulfed by the flames, marking a dark day for the institution and the community while leaving 14 boys with injuries.

The Ministry of Education, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and the Ministry of Health, is managing the situation on the ground.

The Ministry confirmed that all efforts are being made to provide medical care for the injured and to investigate the cause of the devastating fire.

Kipsang who visited the scene of the incident also disclosed that Education CS Julius Migos Ogamba, who was in China on an official visit, is returning to Kenya to personally oversee the response.

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"The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Julius Migos Ogamba, who has been on an official trip in China is on his way back to join our local teams to ensure the situation is addressed with utmost urgency," Kipsang stated.

"In the meantime, I am currently on the ground leading the local multi-agency team to manage the situation."

Kipsang also conveyed the Ministry's profound grief to families and parents of those affected by the tragedy. 

The school community, families, and local residents are mourning the loss of these young lives, as the government works to uncover the root cause of the fire under the the presidential directive.

As investigations continue, the Ministry has pledged its full support to the families affected by the disaster, vowing that all necessary actions will be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.