Several students at the Kapsabet School for the Deaf are feared injured or dead after falling into a septic tank on Thursday, March 12. The incident occurred as 11 learners climbed on top of a 20-foot-long tank in an attempt to see President William Ruto’s motorcade passing the school.
Reports indicate that the tank collapsed under the students’ weight, causing them to fall inside. Community members immediately rushed to the scene to rescue the learners before police arrived. Many of the affected students were taken to Kapsabet County Referral Hospital for emergency care. At the time of publishing, one student is reported to have died, though authorities are yet to confirm the total number of casualties.
President Ruto, who was en route to visit Kapsabet Girls’ High School, stopped by the school to assess the situation. He expressed sorrow over the incident and pledged Ksh5 million to support urgent infrastructure development at the school, aimed at preventing similar accidents in the future.
“I am here on a development tour for this region. I am aware that some students got injured when they came to see me. I am very sorry for the accident, and we will look into the matter together with the county government,” the President said.
The President added, “I have assessed the school and realised that you need some infrastructure development. For that, I will leave you Ksh5 million.”
School officials and county authorities have committed to a thorough investigation to determine how the accident occurred and to implement measures that will safeguard learners. The tragic incident highlights the urgent need for improved infrastructure and safety measures at schools, especially institutions serving vulnerable students.
Community members and parents have urged the county government to ensure that safety protocols are enforced and that the school facilities are upgraded promptly. The ongoing rescue and recovery efforts remain the immediate priority as the affected students receive medical care.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and have assured the public that further updates will be provided as information on the condition of the students becomes available.
