Endarasha: A public inquest into the Hillside Endarasha Academy dormitory fire, which tragically claimed the lives of 21 boys on September 5, 2024, revealed that the dormitories were not equipped with CCTV cameras.
According to Kenya News Agency, the inquest resumed on Monday before Senior Resident Magistrate Mary Gituma. James Githinji, a CCTV installer, testified that cameras were only installed at the entrances of the school gates leading to the boys’ and girls’ dormitories. He further informed the court that these cameras were serviced just five days prior to the fire incident.
Githinji was contracted by the school Director, David Kinyua, to service 11 CCTV cameras within the school compound. However, upon discovering poor image quality in five of the cameras, his work scope changed to include replacing these cameras. He also installed a new Digital Video Recorder (DVR) and connected a surveillance monitor in the Director’s office.
Githinji detailed that one of the newly installed cameras was directed at the main gate, others towards the kitchen, dormitory gates, the Director’s office, and the assembly area. The remaining cameras were scheduled for replacement during school holidays. He assured the court that all equipment was operational when he left the school on August 30.
Githinji recounted receiving news of the fire five days later from a local customer. Upon inspecting the school compound, he found that only one camera had been tampered with, likely due to interference by the fire engine.
The inquest is examining events surrounding the fire, which broke out between 10 pm and 11 pm, two days after the school term began. Dr. Grace Atieno, a pathologist, testified earlier this year that the victims suffered severe burns and inhaled lethal amounts of carbon monoxide. Her findings were corroborated by Dennis Owino, an analyst from the Government Chemist, who found carboxyhaemoglobin in the victims’ blood.
The state prosecution has requested the court to summon four experts, including the former Energy, Petroleum and Regulatory Authority boss Daniel Bargoria, for further testimony. Claudette Obat, the State Prosecutor, explained that scheduling conflicts prevented some witnesses from attending the inquest.
The proceedings are set to continue tomorrow, with four new witnesses expected to testify.
