Kakamega Primary School Closed After Stampede Left 14 Pupils Dead

Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha on Tuesday closed Kakamega Primary School following the Monday evening tragedy.

CS Magoha said the suspension of learning activities at the institution is to allow an investigation into the death of 14 pupils following a stampede.

“We have decided that the children should rest for the rest of the week,” said Magoha.

At least 40 other pupils sustained injuries, with reports suggesting that some learners jumped off the third floor during the bizarre stampede that is said to have occurred due to panic.

Other reports indicated that a teacher at the institution was beating some pupils prompting the other learners to run down a staircase and in the process, some fell and were trampled to death.

Kakamega OCPD David Kabena said investigations had been launched to establish what caused the stampede. He added that the pupils, most of them in Class Five, were leaving their classes heading home when the stampede occurred at around 5 pm.

President Kenyatta on Monday evening sent a message of condolences to the families who had lost children in the tragedy. He also ordered a thorough probe to establish the cause of the unfortunate incident.