At least 11 learners are feared dead after reportedly falling into a septic tank at a school for the deaf in Kapsabet, Nandi County, on Thursday, in a calamity that shocked the community and raised urgent questions about school safety infrastructure.
The incident occurred within the school compound as learners gathered on top of a septic tank, reportedly to watch President William Ruto’s motorcade pass by. According to eyewitness accounts, the structure collapsed beneath the students, plunging them into the pit.
Rescue teams, including community volunteers and police, responded swiftly as panic spread among students, teachers and nearby residents. Those pulled from the septic tank were rushed to Kapsabet County Referral Hospital for urgent treatment, but authorities say the death toll may rise as operations continue.
Emergency responders are working against the clock to retrieve victims from the site, with police securing the area to allow operations to proceed without interruption. “This is a tragic incident and our teams are on the ground carrying out rescue operations as we work to establish the exact circumstances surrounding what happened,” a local officer told reporters.
Relatives and parents gathered near the scene, anxiously waiting for updates as officials urged calm and patience while the situation unfolds. Medical personnel at the hospital confirmed that injured learners are receiving care, but details on the condition of each student remain limited.
Local officials have launched investigations into how learners accessed the hazardous septic tank and whether adequate safety measures were in place on the school grounds. Authorities have pledged to determine what led to the tragedy and take appropriate action to prevent similar incidents.
President Ruto visited the school, expressed deep regret over the disaster and pledged support to the affected families while advocating for improved infrastructure safety across educational institutions nationwide.
