This archive report was first published on 27 September 2019.
On September 27, 2019, a dramatic scene unfolded at a requiem mass held in memory of the fallen pupils of Precious Talents School in Kenya. The parents of the pupils, instead of mourning their children, took to the streets to protest the school's closure.
They demanded the immediate release of the school's proprietor, Moses Wainaina, and the reconstruction of the school so that their children could resume their studies. The parents' actions were a stark contrast to the tragedy that had befallen their children, with seven innocent lives lost in the collapse of the school building.
According to preliminary investigations, the building's structural integrity was a major contributing factor to the accident. Building analysts had previously deemed the building a temporary makeshift, suitable only for storage. Wainaina is set to remain in remand for the next 15 days as investigations continue.
The parents' protest was a bold statement of solidarity with the school's proprietor, who had been painted as a villain in the wake of the tragedy. They stood facing ODM leader Raila Odinga, who was in attendance at the memorial, with their demands clearly written in red prints.
