The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has begun autopsies on the twenty-one bodies of the pupils who died in a fire tragedy at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri last week.
The exercise seeks to make a scietific conclusion on the cause of death in the Septemebr 5 incident and guide a criminal investigation that could see several individuals charged in court.
This is after the Government Chemists concluded collecting DNA samples for anaysis to guide the idetification of the deceased pupils.
In a statement released on Wednesday evening, DCI noted the fire consumed nineteen bodies beyond recognition hence the necessity for DNA analysis while two pupils died in the hospital while undergoing treatment.
“Meanwhile the investigating team is working round the clock recording statements from persons of interest, marking significant progress in this inquiry. Independent reports from the several stakeholders will help in our investigations into the cause of the fire.”
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The agency revealed that it will work with the Central Region Disaster Management Committee, fire safety experts, and officials from the County Government of Nyeri, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, The Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), State Department for Public Works, Department of Government Chemists, Kenya Power and Lighting Company, National Construction Authority, the Red Cross, and other stakeholders.
The directorate explained that the school had enrolled 330 students as boarders, comprising 166 females and 164 males.
Additionally, eight boys had not returned to school for the third term, leaving the dormitory with 156 boys.
