Schools and institutions in Nandi County have been urged to urgently inspect sanitation facilities after a tragic incident at Kapsabet School for the Hearing Impaired left one learner dead and several others injured.
The incident occurred last Thursday when pupils gathered in the school compound to catch a glimpse of the presidential motorcade passing through Kapsabet town en route to Kapsabet Girls High School.
Several learners had climbed onto a concrete slab covering a septic tank, which suddenly collapsed, causing them to fall into the pit.
Authorities believe prolonged heavy rains weakened the surrounding soil, compromising the slab’s stability.
Lorraine Cherono, a medical practitioner, said her department received the distress call and responded within ten minutes.
She urged the public to always give way to emergency vehicles during rescue operations to allow first responders swift access. “We ask residents to always create space for ambulances and emergency teams so that those in need can receive assistance without delay,” she said.
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Maurice Okul confirmed that one learner later died while receiving treatment at Kapsabet Referral Hospital.
Okul added that six learners have been discharged, while four remain admitted in stable condition.
Dr. Angeline Kirui said all 11 learners who fell into the septic tank were rescued promptly. “By 9:25 a.m., the first casualty had already been retrieved from the pit,” she said then.
Dr. Kirui noted that eight children were in stable condition, while two had moderate injuries and one sustained severe trauma after a piece of the broken slab fell on her.
Dr. Kirui praised the coordinated efforts of the County Ambulance Service, Disaster Management teams, and other emergency responders who worked swiftly to transport the victims to hospital.
A vacuum truck from a private waste management firm was later deployed to suction wastewater and sludge from the septic tank, ensuring no additional victims remained trapped.
In the wake of the tragedy, Cherono and Dr. Kirui urged schools, churches, and other institutions to conduct immediate safety inspections of sanitation facilities, especially during the ongoing rainy season.
“With the heavy rains we are experiencing, the ground becomes saturated and structures can easily collapse when subjected to excessive weight,” Cherono warned.
She also cautioned residents in landslide-prone areas, particularly in Tinderet Sub-County, to relocate to safer ground when signs of instability appear.
The county government also raised concerns about rising lightning incidents, revealing that two people have recently died due to lightning strikes.
Cherono called on institutions to install lightning arresters in buildings accommodating large numbers of people.
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Dr. Kirui stressed the need for schools to enforce strict safety measures around sanitation facilities. “We must sensitize teachers and school management to ensure that children do not crowd on structures such as toilet slabs or septic tank covers where excess weight could cause collapse,” she said. She added that schools should introduce safety guidelines, regulate the number of learners accessing sanitation areas at a time, and conduct routine inspections of infrastructure.
County officials assured residents that the Disaster Management Department remains on standby 24/7. “Our teams are available around the clock. In case of any emergency, residents should alert us immediately so that we can respond quickly and save lives,” Cherono said.
By Kimutai Langat
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