One learner dies, 10 injured after septic tank caves in at Kapsabet school
- Created by Juma Namlola
- Roundup
Education CS Julius Ogamba visits the injured learners in hospital ward.
One learner has died and at least ten others were injured on Thursday morning after a septic tank collapsed at Kapsabet School for the Deaf, officials confirmed.
The incident occurred around 10am when students gathered near a disused tank on the school grounds.
According to local reports, the learners were climbing on the structure as they watched President William Ruto’s motorcade pass nearby.
The old septic tank gave way, sending students plunging into the pit.
Rescuers immediately rushed to the scene, pulling students from the tank and taking them to Kapsabet County Referral Hospital for treatment.
Sadly, one student died at the scene, while nine others and six rescuers sustained injuries.
President visits the scene
Upon learning of the tragedy, President Ruto visited the school, comforting mourning families and staff.
He pledged Sh5 million in support for the school to assist in immediate relief and infrastructure safety improvements.
Education CS Julius Ogamba follows up
Following the presidential visit, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba visited the injured learners at the hospital, offering support and reassurance.
“Our hearts go out to the affected families,” he said, adding that the ministry will work closely with county authorities to audit school infrastructure and prevent similar incidents in future.
How the tragedy unfolded
The tank in question was reportedly old and disused, but still accessible to learners.
Eyewitnesses said students were curious about the structure, and some climbed onto it, unaware of the risk.
The collapse sent several learners tumbling into the pit, leading to the fatality and multiple injuries.
Authorities have begun investigating why the tank was accessible, whether safety measures were ignored, and if the school administration could have prevented access.
Community and safety concerns
The incident has renewed calls from parents and educators for stricter safety audits of school infrastructure, especially in institutions hosting vulnerable learners.
Local residents expressed shock at the tragedy, highlighting the need for immediate repairs and safety barriers around hazardous structures on school grounds.