This archive report was first published on 26 September 2019.
On September 23, 2019, a ramshackle classroom block collapsed at Precious Talents Top School in Ng'ando area in Nairobi, killing eight learners and injuring 69 others.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has since revoked the registration certificate of the school, citing gross violations of the law.
The school's proprietor, Mr Moses Wainaina, was arrested on Thursday evening and is expected to be arraigned in court today, facing charges including manslaughter and giving false information to obtain approvals.
According to Prof Magoha, the school was registered on July 10, 2013, to host 340 pupils, but by the time of the tragedy, it had an enrolment of 923 pupils.
Prof Magoha also redistributed pupils from the school to three public schools, providing them with textbooks and desks.
Up to 480 learners will be relocated to Ngong Forest Primary School, 2.3 kilometres away, 180 to Jamhuri Primary School, three kilometres, and 130 will join Riruta Satellite Primary School, 2.5 kilometres away.
The 150 play group learners will remain at home owing to their age and the long distance to the schools.
Prof Magoha said that two of the injured pupils were still admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital, with one due for discharge today and the other in the intensive care unit but improving.
The other 67 were treated and have been discharged, and the ministry will facilitate counselling services to them.
Prof Magoha ordered the Directorate of Quality Assurance and Standards to carry out a national audit and crackdown on schools with structures that pose danger to learners.
He denied claims that state-run schools lack capacity, forcing parents to turn to poorly run private schools.
Prof Magoha also shut down another school, Pama Academy in Kangemi, Nairobi, citing a storey structure similar to the one that collapsed at Precious Talents Top School.
