Cabinet Secretary for Education Professor George Magoha on Monday revealed that a stampede which claimed the lives of many students at Kakamega Primary School must have been triggered by something that is yet to be established.
The Monday incident left 13 students dead as of 9 PM on the same day with 39 others injured.
Speaking to Citizen TV on the same day, Magoha revealed that he was impressed by how the students walked down from the building during his last visit to the school.
The CS also sent his condolences messages to the affected families saying it was indeed regrettable to lose such brilliant young souls.
“As a human being and as a parent, the loss of a child is painful indeed. I was informed of this tragic incident at about 5:30 PM in the evening. First of all my condolences to all the relatives and parents of the students who have lost their lives, unfortunately.
“Secondly when I was there about two months ago at school, the students came down in a very orderly manner. It is one of the best schools in the region. So there must be a reason why there was that stampede and that is what we have to find out,” said Magoha.
The CS also revealed that 37 students had been treated and discharged while two others remained at the intensive care unit under critical condition.
CS Magoha also revealed that he had dispatched his Permanent Secretary Belio Kipsang to find out what he had happened. He promised to take stern action on those found culpable.
According to former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, the death toll had risen to 19 as of midnight, Tuesday morning.
The incident comes nearly five months after 8 students lost their lives at Precious Talent Academy in Dagoretti South constituency after the walls of their classrooms caved in on them on.
After visiting the school, Education CS Prof George Magoha said there was malpractice in the construction of the ill-fated two-story structure and that the incident would have been avoided.
The school was closed and its owner, Moses Wanaina, was arrested and charged with manslaughter.
He was however released on bail.