This archive report was first published on 23 September 2019.
On Monday, September 23, 2019, a devastating classroom collapse at Precious Talents School in Dagoretti South left seven pupils dead and 64 others injured, with two in critical condition at Kenyatta National Hospital.
The incident occurred as the pupils were preparing for their first lesson, highlighting concerns over the safety of schools in Kenya.
According to Professor George Magoha, the Cabinet Secretary of Education, the classrooms were in stable condition to hold pupils for learning, but an investigation revealed that the storey building was built on a temporary structure and did not follow standard construction procedures, rendering it vulnerable to collapse.
As a result, the school has been closed for four days to allow for a thorough investigation into the incident, with a multi-agency group comprising officials from the county government, ministry of education, and other stakeholders to handle the situation.
Professor Magoha has assured parents that his ministry will acquire land and construct a public school within reach, as the nearest public school in the area is approximately two kilometers from Precious Talent School.
Meanwhile, the school manager, Moses Ndirangu, has blamed the Nairobi County Council for the tragedy, citing the recent sewer line construction behind the building as a contributing factor.
