This archive report was first published on 26 September 2019.
On September 25, 2019, a section of legislators called for the arrest of Precious Talents Top School proprietor, Mr Moses Wainaina, following the collapse of the school that led to the death of eight pupils.
Angry senators dismissed the ongoing probe by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and challenged the national government to act quickly, accusing Mr Wainaina of prioritizing profit over the safety of children.
Senate Deputy Speaker Kithure Kindiki ordered the Committee on Education to summon Education CS George Magoha and other senior policy experts to explain the facts behind the tragedy.
Prof Kindiki declared that the death of the pupils was a national tragedy and ordered the committee to explore possible civil liability and criminal negligence on the part of the owners.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko also swung into action following the tragedy and suspended some of his key officers in the planning department, including his Finance executive Charles Kerich, to pave way for investigations.
Education CS George Magoha has ordered a countrywide inspection of all schools and closed down St Catherine Bombolulu Primary School in Kibra Constituency.
Prof Magoha said all schools must ensure their infrastructure complies with set standards and directed that quality assurance and standards officers ensure non-compliant schools are closed down.
He said the Ministry of Education did not approve the school's buildings and that the government was concerned about the welfare of children.
Prof Magoha directed that the 207 pupils in that school be moved to Ayany Estate Primary School and said the community should understand that the government is acting in the best interest of the children.
Separately, a community centre offered pupils of the collapsed school post-trauma counselling.
