On February 3rd, 2020, the playground of Kakamega Primary School became the scene of an unspeakable tragedy. Fourteen children — all full of promise — were trampled to death. Dozens more were injured. The country mourned. Politicians descended on the scene. Condolences flowed. Investigations were promised. But five years later, what really changed?
What Really Triggered the Stampede?
Initial reports blamed panic. Children were said to have rushed down a stairwell, fleeing for reasons that have never been definitively explained. Witnesses claimed a teacher had whipped students, sparking chaos. But if that’s true, why did it take years for accountability to emerge? What was the teacher’s version of events? Did any official interviews take place with pupils present during the incident?
A Stairwell of Death — Who Approved It?
The staircase, according to some reports, was narrow and poorly lit. It was the same route hundreds of pupils used daily. Were structural audits ever done before the stampede? Who signed off on the design? And if the facility was inadequate for such large numbers, why wasn’t action taken earlier?
Compensation or Cover-Up?
In 2023, the courts awarded KSh1.25 million to each of the affected families. A just compensation — or a state-sanctioned hush payment? For over three years, the parents had battled not only grief but bureaucracy. Their lawsuit named the school board, county education officials, and the Attorney General. Notably, no individuals were held criminally liable.
Why did it take so long for the matter to reach court? Was justice delayed — or deliberately deferred?
A Quick Closure, A Quiet Reopening
Soon after the tragedy, the school was temporarily shut. Officials pledged counseling, safety audits, and reforms. But when the gates reopened, media coverage waned. What reforms were actually implemented? Was there a re-design of the staircase? Were emergency procedures updated? There has been little public evidence of long-term change — at Kakamega or across Kenya’s school infrastructure.
Is the education ministry merely reacting to tragedy — or preparing to prevent the next one?
Political Sympathy or PR Opportunity?
Within days of the stampede, senior government figures visited the school. Deputy President William Ruto promised government support. President Kenyatta called for investigations. But were these visits about accountability — or optics? When cameras left, so did political urgency.
Have school safety standards improved since then? Has any national database of at-risk schools been created? Or are we just waiting for the next disaster?
The Verdict: A Nation Forgets, But Families Don’t
The tragedy at Kakamega Primary School is no longer front-page news. The headlines faded, the vigils ended, and the politicians moved on. But for the parents who buried their children, the silence is deafening. The question is: how many more children must die before real change comes?
