The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has revealed significant electrical faults in the Hillside Endarasha Academy following a tragic dormitory fire in September 2024 that claimed 21 boys.

During an ongoing inquest, EPRA Electrical Engineer Allan Mogoi detailed numerous deficiencies in the school's electrical system, highlighting that the power distribution failed to meet public institution standards.

Key Electrical Defects Identified

  • Inadequate earthing: Only four buildings had independent earthing, with some earth connections severed or improperly installed.
  • Improper cable sizing: Sub-main cables were undersized, with dormitory supply cables smaller than recommended.
  • Poor protection coordination: Circuit breakers were oversized and poorly graded, reducing their effectiveness.
  • Unsafe installations: Cables in hazardous areas like the kitchen lacked protective conduits and showed signs of damage and soot.
  • Unlicensed work: Extensions to new buildings were carried out by unlicensed contractors, contrary to regulations.

Additional Concerns

EPRA also found the school failed to apply for increased electrical load from Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) despite expanding its facilities, resulting in overstressed wiring.

Mogoi noted that the system's design, including a single-phase transformer feeding multiple buildings from the administration block, contributed to safety risks.

Cause of Fire Remains Unclear

Despite extensive investigation, EPRA could not definitively determine the fire's cause due to severe damage to the dormitory’s electrical installations.

The authority ruled out the school's solar power backup system as a source of the fire, supported by testimony from the solar installer confirming the system was off at the time.

KPLC also confirmed its equipment and network were intact and functioning normally before and after the incident, with no faults detected that could have triggered the fire.

Inquest Proceedings

The inquest continues as the court hears testimonies from school staff and experts, aiming to reconstruct the events leading to the devastating fire that erupted between 10 pm and 11 pm on September 5, 2024, shortly after the school term began.