A tragic accident at Kapsabet School for the Deaf in Nandi County has left several learners feared dead after a septic tank collapsed on Thursday, March 12. The incident happened as students tried to catch a glimpse of President William Ruto while his motorcade passed near the school on the way to Kapsabet Girls’ High School.
Reports indicate that 11 learners climbed onto a septic tank estimated to be about 20 feet deep. The group had gathered on top of the structure to view the passing motorcade. However, the tank suddenly gave way under their combined weight, causing them to fall inside.
The collapse caused panic among other students and nearby residents. People in the area quickly rushed to the scene and started rescue efforts before police and emergency teams arrived. Witnesses said locals worked together to pull the trapped learners from the tank as quickly as possible.
Several of the students were rescued and rushed to Kapsabet County Referral Hospital for treatment. Medical staff at the facility began attending to the injured learners as soon as they arrived.
Preliminary reports indicate that one student died following the incident while ten others suffered injuries of varying degrees. Authorities are still assessing the full situation as rescue and medical teams continue monitoring the affected learners.
The tragic event has shocked the local community, with parents, teachers, and residents expressing concern about the safety of school infrastructure and the circumstances that led to the accident.
Later in the day, President Ruto visited Kapsabet School for the Deaf to assess the situation and meet school officials. He expressed regret over the incident and conveyed his condolences to the affected families.
The president also pledged KSh5 million to support improvements to infrastructure at the school. Authorities are expected to carry out further investigations to establish the exact cause of the collapse and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
