Kenyan leader orders thorough probe into school tragedy

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered a thorough probe into the cause of the unfortunate stampede at a local school in Western Kenya where 14 were killed and 39 others injured on Monday evening.

“The president wished the injured children quick recovery and ordered for a thorough investigation to establish the cause of the unfortunate incident,” State House said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

The stampede took place moments after the final bell indicating the end of the school-day rang.

David Kabena, Kakamega Central divisional police commander, said the stampede occurred at Kakamega Primary School at around 5 p.m. (14:00 GMT) when pupils were leaving classes to return home.

A teacher was reportedly beating some pupils prompting the other pupils to run down a staircase and in the process, some fell and were trampled to death.

Deputy President William Ruto said the government has activated its emergency networks and medical specialists to attend to the affected.

Anne Ngetich, Western Regional Commissioner, said the school has been closed and will be reopened upon completion of the investigation to establish what the cause of the stampede was.

She said two are in intensive care unit and two in surgical wards undergoing specialized surgery. Enditem