Paul Kung’u is a father whose son is a student at Hillside Endarasha Academy, the school where a tragic incident claimed the lives of at least 21 students and left 27 others injured.

In an interview with Nation, Paul Kung’u shared that he first heard about the fire which broke out around 3 am, while he was in Thika for work. Overcome with worry like many other concerned parents, he immediately rushed to the school to check on his son’s safety.

When Paul Kung’u arrived at the school, he was informed that his son, Louis Kiringa, had rescued two pupils from the fire that had engulfed the dormitory, reducing it to ashes.

“I am very happy that he saved the lives of his fellow pupils, I see my son and label him a hero. I am very happy,” he said.

Louis Kiringa recalled that on the tragic night of September 5th, he was asleep in the dormitory when he suddenly noticed the air around him had become unusually hot.

Hillside Academy fire: 156 boys were sleeping in ill-fated ‘wooden’ dormitory

He explained that he saw other pupils running, so he followed them. On the way, he noticed two boys still asleep and woke both of them up so that they could all make it towards a safer section of the dormitory window.

“As we were about to jump out of the windows, a teacher pulled him. I jumped after seeing that happen with the other one I brought along. I don’t know if the one who was picked by the teacher was taken to the hospital. I haven’t seen him since then,” said the 12-year-old.

Paul Kung’u has made it clear that despite the tragic events at the school, he has no intention of transferring his son. He feels that this was just an unfortunate accident, the kind that can happen anywhere.

“So in my opinion, my son will keep attending school,” said Kiringa’s father.