This archive report was first published on 23 September 2019.
On September 23, 2019, a devastating classroom collapse occurred at Precious Talent School in Dagoretti South, Nairobi, claiming the lives of seven students, including 13-year-old Emma Edambo.
Emma's classroom collapsed just before the start of classes, leaving her and her fellow students in a state of panic.
President Uhuru Kenyatta was among the first to offer condolences to the families of the affected children, stating, 'My heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to families of the children affected by the tragedy at Precious Talents Top School in Dagoretti. Our agencies are taking urgent actions to contain the situation and alleviate further suffering.'
Investigations into the cause of the collapse are ongoing, but eyewitnesses have reported that the building appeared to be 'bendy' on one side, prompting concerns about the school's structural integrity.
A parent who spoke to The Star revealed that their son had warned a teacher about the building's condition on Friday, but was dismissed back to class. Other parents, however, reported that the school seemed fine to them.
The tragedy has raised concerns about the safety of private schools in the area, particularly in the absence of adequate public schools.
