Editor's Review

Tragedy struck Queen of Angels School in Turbo on Thursday after a pit latrine collapsed, killing three pupils.

Tragedy struck Queen of Angels School in Turbo, Uasin Gishu County, on Thursday, July 10, after a pit latrine collapsed, killing three pupils.

Confirming the incident, Tapsagoi Ward MCA Nicolas Bitok confirmed that all bodies had been retrieved and taken to the mortuary.

"This morning, we received deeply saddening news from our school, Queen of Angels, where a latrine suddenly collapsed, trapping three children inside.

"Tragically, the children were retrieved from the debris but had already lost their lives. Their bodies have been taken to the mortuary," he said.

Bitok noted that heavy rains may have played a role in weakening the structure of the latrine, as the area has experienced intense downpours for over a week.

"This heartbreaking incident occurred after heavy rains had been pounding the area for over a week, which may have weakened the structure of the latrine.

"It is also possible that the facility had been in use for a long time without maintenance, which contributed to its collapse," he added.

File image of the collapsed latrine

Bitok insisted that the incident was an accident and sent his condolences to the affected parents and the school fraternity.

"We believe this was an accident. There are no words strong enough to express our sorrow. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the parents of the deceased children, our ward, and the county at large," he concluded.

This comes two months after a pit latrine under construction in Kakamega County caved in, killing two young men.

According to reports, the victims were buried alive when the unstable soil collapsed around them during the digging process.

According to eyewitnesses, the collapse happened suddenly, drawing the attention of local residents who rushed to the scene in a desperate attempt to help.

"We heard screams, and when we got outside, we found people rushing to the scene; it was then that we learned that the soil caved in while they were inside the latrine. What happened is really painful," said Rachae Nancy, a resident.

The latrine was reportedly being dug in an area known to have unstable ground, exacerbated by the presence of old, collapsed structures beneath. 

Locals pointed to negligence and the lack of proper safety measures as contributing factors to the fatal incident.