Nairobi: Findings of an investigation by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) into the September 2024 dormitory fire at the Hillside Endarasha Academy revealed widespread defects in the school's electrical installation system. During an inquest into the fire that claimed 21 boys, EPRA Electrical Engineer, Allan Mogoi, told the court that the school's power distribution system did not meet the set standards for public institutions.
According to Kenya News Agency, EPRA's investigation uncovered numerous defects, including lack of earthing, poor cable sizing, and inadequate protection coordination within the school's electrical system. It was revealed that while the school's original electrical installations were conducted by a licensed contractor, subsequent extensions to new buildings were illegally performed by an unlicensed contractor. This prompted a recommendation for holding the school's Director, David Kinyua, accountable for not engaging a licensed contractor.
EPRA's findings highlighted that the school was powered by a single-phase transformer with an independent meter, and the connections from the administration block to other buildings failed to meet EPRA size specifications. Mogoi noted that cables supplying certain blocks were undersized, such as those drawing power for the dormitory from the kitchen.
Additionally, the investigation found that the kitchen's installation did not meet standards for hazardous areas, with cables exposed and not adequately protected, posing potential electrical hazards. The system's protection was compromised by an oversized circuit breaker, affecting its ability to operate effectively during faults.
EPRA also identified defects in the earthing system across the school's buildings, noting that only four blocks had independent earthing. Two of these were defective, and several buildings lacked earth rods altogether, jeopardizing safety and system stability.
Despite the school's expansion over the years, it failed to apply to Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) for additional load, overburdening the existing system. Mogoi emphasized the necessity of applying for increased load capacity when adding new infrastructure to prevent stress on the original installation.
EPRA could not determine the exact cause of the fire due to the extensive damage to electrical installations in the affected dormitory. The authority also ruled out the solar power back-up system as a source of the fire, confirming no faults in the solar installations.
KPLC's Mount Kenya Regional Manager, Engineer Mutegi Mbae, confirmed that the utility's network was unaffected by the fire, with all installations intact. The inquest seeks to reconstruct the events of the night of September 5, 2024, when the fire broke out shortly after the school reopened for the Third Term.
The court has heard testimonies from witnesses, including a government analyst who verified the victims' identities through DNA matching, and a solar expert who confirmed the solar system was inactive during the fire. The inquest is set to continue with further testimonies from school teachers.