Kakamega Stampede: Some pupils who survived the stampede at Kakamega Primary School that claimed the lives of 14 learners have claimed that a teacher was chasing them to leave the institution after classes in the evening.
However, there has not been an official explanation yet on the cause of the Monday stampede that left many in shock.
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Some of the other pupils said the tragedy happened when one of them who was leading others downstairs tried to block her colleagues mid-way along the staircase on the third floor. A pupil said her colleagues pushed back to force their way down the stairs and in the process piled up on each other.
“Five other pupils who were behind her fell on each other as they pushed,” said a Grade Six survivor. The stampede at the narrow staircase was made worse when other pupils responded to the screams of their colleagues, pushing and shoving each other and in the process falling over each another.
Bell rings, pupils run out, 14 die in stampede at Kakamega Primary
“I was going downstairs after classes when I heard some boys behind me playfully push each other. It is something they often do. In no time, however, a commotion ensued and some of those who were on the staircase fell off others. I lost my footing when pushed and other students fell on top of me.”I remained pinned down until help came from boda boda operators nearby. I was hurt on the leg but was lucky to have been taken to a nearby clinic where I was treated and discharged. There was no teacher beating students as had been alleged,” said Alphaville Keng’ore, a Grade 5 pupil.
