13 pupils killed after stampede breaks out in Kakamega Primary School

At least 13 pupils at Kakamega Primary School died following a stampede that is believed to have occurred as they were running away from their classes on Monday evening.

The 13 were killed when a stampede broke out at the school.

Kakamega Central OCPD David Kabena said 39 were injured and 20 treated and discharged.

The number may go higher.

The pupils are nursing serious injuries as others are in critical condition.

The stampede broke out after the bell rang to signify the end of classes.

The children were headed home.

Unconfirmed reports indicated two may have been taken to the ICU at the Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Parents have camped at the hospital as there are fears more may have succumbed to the injuries.

Most got injured while trying to come down from the three-storey building.

School Safety

The deaths awakened the conversation on children's safety in school.

In September last year, the Ministry of Education relocated 207 pupils from St Catherine’s Children Education Centre Bombolulu to Ayany Primary School in Kibra, Nairobi.

This is after Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha ordered the school closed due to safety concerns.

“This is just a start and we are going to crack down on all schools in the country with poor structures.”

The order came just days after eight pupils died and 69 others were injured at Precious Talent School in Dagoretti after a two-storey building collapsed.

The CS then further disclosed that the proprietor of the collapsed building was being investigated.