This archive report was first published on 25 June 2020.
On February 3, 2020, a devastating stampede at Kakamega Primary School left 15 pupils dead and dozens injured. The incident occurred in the evening when students were descending the stairs to head home.
Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Nordin Haji has concluded his investigation into the incident and found no one to blame. According to the DPP, there was no clear criminal act and no person had been mentioned in the incident.
Despite interviewing 16 teachers and 43 pupils, the DPP stated that the boys who allegedly blocked the stairway causing the accident could not be identified. Witnesses claimed that some boys blocked the stairways, but none of them could be identified by name, physical description, or classroom.
Other witnesses blamed the accident on superstition, claiming to have seen a mysterious person with a cow-like head that scared students. Some also blamed the church that was conducting services in one of the rooms.
However, the DPP directed the matter to be presented before the magistrate for formal closure by way of public inquest. The parents of the victims have threatened to proceed to court to sue the Ministry of Education.
"It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education to protect children while at school, the same way it is my duty to guard my kids once they are at home. We will pursue other means to get justice," said a parent who lost a child in the incident.
