Three pupils die after pit latrine collapses at Turbo School

Turbo Sub County police commander Patrick Wekesa said tyhe three pupils were rescued from the collapsed latrine and taken to the hospital before they were pronounced dead. [Elvis Koskei, Standard]

Three pupils died after a pit latrine collapsed at Queen of Angels Academy in Turbo, Uasin Gishu County.

The victims were all young children—two girls from Pre-Primary 1 (PP1) and one girl from Pre-Primary 2 (PP2).

According to eyewitnesses, the children had gone to the latrine to relieve themselves in the morning when the structure suddenly gave way.

Turbo Sub-County police commander Patrick Wekesa confirmed the incident, stating, "Three pupils were retrieved from the collapsed latrine and taken to the hospital in critical condition."

"Unfortunately, all three have since been confirmed dead, and their bodies have been taken to Turbo Sub-County Hospital before being transferred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret."

The school community is now mourning the loss, with the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret confirming the tragic news.

Father Mathew Too, the Education Secretary of Catholic Schools in the diocese, described the incident as unfortunate.

This incident has sparked urgent calls for action to ensure safe infrastructure in schools. Nelson Kirui, the Executive Secretary of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) for Eldoret West, called for a review of safety measures in schools in Turbo and take immediate action.

Turbo Sub County police commander Patrick Wekesa said tyhe three pupils were rescued from the collapsed latrine and taken to the hospital before they were pronounced dead. [Elvis Koskei, Standard]

Kipkorir Ngetich, the Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, emphasised the need for an urgent investigation. He said, "If this tragedy happened due to negligence or poor structural integrity, the school management should be held accountable."

Education director Wilson Sawe stated, "We will inspect all schools during this rainy season to ensure safety, particularly in Turbo."

Gideon Chesop, Chairman of the Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association (KEPSHA) Turbo, extended his condolences to the families affected. He noted that a rescue team from the National Youth Service (NYS) was deployed to assist in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The bodies of the three pupils have been transferred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where an investigation into the incident is underway. The community is in shock and is demanding answers regarding how such a tragedy could have occurred.

Governor Jonathan Bii condoled with the bereaved families, saying as a precautionary measure, the county has engaged officials from the Ministry of Education to initiate structural assessments of sanitation facilities in schools across the county to help prevent future tragedies.