The tragic incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County, Kenya, where a fire claimed the lives of 21 students, has left the community in deep mourning.
The final respects for the deceased were marked by a somber memorial service held at Mweiga Stadium.
This interdenominational service, attended by grieving families, community members, and government officials, was organized to offer collective prayers before the individual burials.
The service took place on September 25, 2024, and was followed by the release of the bodies to the families for burial later that day.
The service was kept short to allow families time to conduct burials on the same day, though some burials were delayed due to logistical challenges for families living far away.
Authorities had completed DNA tests to identify the victims, allowing the remains to be handed over to the grieving families​.
As families mourned their children, the government and the Kenya Red Cross provided ongoing support, including counseling services to help the bereaved cope with the tragic loss.
The emotional toll was immense, and the community, still grappling with the tragedy, received significant help from mental health professionals to navigate their grief​.
