Nyeri Diocese Catholic Archbishop, Anthony Muheria, has appealed to parents who picked their children from the Hillside Endarasha Academy on Friday to make a report to the Red Cross and help the government in accounting for the missing children.

Speaking at the Our Lady of Consolata Cathedral in Nyeri town on Sunday morning, Arch Muheria said that a considerable number of pupils from the school could not be accounted for as some parents who had picked their children were yet to inform the authorities and the school management.

‘We appeal to the parents, in spite of the shock and trauma that you have experienced, please head to the call by the government. Many parents picked their children from the Hillside Academy but have not yet informed the government so there are some children who are unaccounted for. And it is only for the sake of peace of mind if you picked your child just call the institution so that you may say your child is at home and they are safe,’ he said.

On Friday, Deputy Presidents, Rigath
i Gachagua while giving his address at the school, appealed to parents and members of the Kabati village in Endarasha who gave refuge to pupils escaping the night inferno to make a report to the number 1199.

‘I am appealing to each and every parent who took their child from here to report to the Red Cross and the school so that we know where that child is. We are asking community members who have given comfort to those children to report the same. That will help us to account for each and every child,’ he said.

On Saturday, the Government Spokesperson, Dr Isaac Mwaura asked the media to desist from making conclusions about the number of fatalities and those missing from the tragedy. He also put the death toll from the inferno at 21. Dr Mwaura said that 19 bodies had been recovered from the scene with the help of the Directorate of Criminal Investigation officers and the government pathologist. Two additional deaths according to Dr Mwaura had occurred at the Kenyatta National Hospital and Mary Immaculate Hos
pital in Nyeri.

The Nyeri Archbishop has at the same time urged parents to present themselves and their children to the designated counseling centres for psychosocial support to help them cope with the traumatic events of the Thursday night tragedy.

‘Also, kindly take them (the children) for a bit of checkup and assistance because the trauma is quite huge,’ said the Archbishop.

The Archbishop who joined other religious leaders in visiting the scene of the tragedy on Saturday termed it as a terrible event. While sending his message of condolence, Arch Muheria has also asked Kenyans to avoid speculating about circumstances that could have led to the incident, instead he urged Kenyans to unite in solidarity and prayers with the affected families.

‘Beyond the shock that we have experienced, solidarity should be the reaction; all of us together in prayer. When things happen it is very easy to start pointing fingers. Let us rather take this moment to think and put ourselves in the shoes of those who are sufferi
ng much as we cannot fully comprehend their pain,’ he said.

Source: Kenya News Agency