The serene calm of Moi Nyabohanse Girls, Serare in Kuria West, was shattered on Sunday when a Form Two student, Deborah Nchagwa Moherahe, collapsed and later died under circumstances that have left many grieving and questioning the school’s emergency response systems.
According to a detailed Facebook post by Ndungu Nyoro, Deborah was full of life that morning, having joined her classmates for a tea break at 10am. She then made her way to the school field, where she was to practice a poem with other learners. That is where tragedy struck.
It was there that Deborah lay as her friends ran to alert teachers. The response they received has now drawn widespread criticism. “Some teachers dismissed us, saying ‘anajifanya, awachwe atajiamsha’ [she’s pretending, leave her, she’ll wake up],” the post reads.
The teacher on duty reportedly told the girls that the school matron was not around and declined to lend them his phone, claiming he had no credit. Left on their own, the students returned to the lab to care for their unconscious friend. Hours passed. Deborah soiled herself. Her peers cleaned and changed her clothes—alone.
“Her hands became cold. We knew something was wrong,” said a classmate. “This time, we carried her ourselves to the staffroom.”
Only then did the severity of the situation appear to register with the staff. The matron was called and arrived later, bringing with her a surgical spirit. She attempted to revive Deborah by rubbing her face. When there was no response, an ambulance was finally called—nearly three hours after the girl first fainted.
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By the time Deborah reached the hospital, it was too late.
The school principal gathered students that evening to break the tragic news. The students reacted with anger, going on strike and accusing the school of negligence.
An area MCA visited the school at midnight, urging calm and promising media coverage. By Monday morning, Education officials arrived but failed to pacify the students. The school was closed indefinitely.
As Deborah’s family prepares to bury their daughter, the students remain adamant in their demands: a full-time school nurse and the immediate dismissal of the matron.
By Joseph Mambili
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