DP Ruto visits Kakamega Primary School after stampede disaster [Photos]

Deputy President Dr. William Ruto and leaders from Kakamega county at the accident scene of accident at Kakamega Primary School when he toured to establish death of 14 pupils who perished and 39 injured in a staircase stampede at their school on Monday [COURTESY]

Deputy President William Ruto is the latest political leader to pay a visit to Kakamega Primary School following the tragic stampede incident that left 14 pupils dead, two in the intensive care unit and 39 seriously injured.

DP Ruto’s visit comes less than 24 hours after he condoled with the families and relatives of the victims of the incident.

During his visit, he told families of those affected the State will organise for the burial of the deceased pupils with the help of the County Government of Kakamega.

Ruto accompanied by other Government officials [Courtesy]

“We shall provide finances that will take care of the hospital bills and burial expenses to the affected families. A committee has been put in place consisting of both national and county government officials to plan for their decent sendoff next week,” Ruto said.

Ruto, on his social media, sent his prayers to those affected and guaranteed the government’s total support in medical care.

The Government has activated its emergency networks and medical specialists to attend to the affected; we guarantee our total support to ensure the affected learners receive utmost medical attention.

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) February 3, 2020

Deputy President William Ruto is the latest political leader to pay a visit to Kakamega Primary School [COURTESY]

“We are devastated by the tragedy that has hit Kakamega Primary School this evening; our prayers, love and thoughts to the families and relatives of the victims of the misfortune. The Government has activated its emergency networks and medical specialists to attend to the affected; we guarantee our total support to ensure the affected learners receive utmost medical attention,” DP Ruto said on his Twitter.

DP Ruto was received by Education Cabinet Secretary George Mahoga, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Basic Education PS Dr Belio Kipsang.

DP Ruto was received by Education Cabinet Secretary George Mahoga, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Basic Education PS Dr Belio Kipsang [COURTESY]

The stampede happened around 5 pm as the pupils were going home.

Immediately the news broke, parents and relatives rushed to the school to look for their children, only for some to find out that their children were among the dead.

How it happened

According to one of the pupils, the stampede happened after one of them tried to block a group that was going down the stairs on the third floor. One pupil is said to have forcefully pushed the others. 

DP Ruto speaking at Kakamega Primary School [COURTESY]

Facts about Kakamega Primary School

Kakamega Primary school is a public school located in Lurambi constituency.  

Number of dead pupils - 14 (nine girls and five boys).

Total student population – 3,128 pupils.

Number of classes – 51.

KCPE 2019 results – the school had more than 30 students who scored over 400 marks. In the county, four of their pupils were among the top 50 best performers.

The school has 296 pupils in their Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) classes. They are taught by six teachers.

The school has 74 teachers. Four are employed by the Board of Management and 70 by the Teachers service Commission.

KCPE mean score in the last five years – 2015 - 328 marks, 2016 - 322 marks, 2017 – 326 marks, 2018 - 338 marks, and 2019 – 336 marks.