Presidential Visit Turns Fatal as School Septic Tank Collapse Kills One Student
Kapsabet, 12 March 2026
A tragic accident at Kapsabet School for the Deaf claimed one life and injured ten others when students gathered on an old septic tank to watch President Ruto’s motorcade pass by. The 20-foot concrete slab collapsed under the weight of eleven eager pupils, plunging them into the pit below on Thursday morning.
Collapse During Presidential Visit
The incident occurred on Thursday morning, 12 March 2026, as students at AIC Kapsabet Senior School for the Hearing Impaired positioned themselves on top of an old septic tank to catch a glimpse of President William Ruto’s motorcade [1][2]. The students had gathered to watch the presidential convoy as it made its way to the neighbouring Kapsabet Girls High School, where President Ruto was scheduled to preside over a thanksgiving service [1]. The two schools are separated by a road less than 5 metres wide, making the viewing opportunity particularly appealing to the curious pupils [1]. Dr Angline Kirui, Nandi County Executive Committee Member for Health, confirmed that the pupils were standing on top of the septic tank when the slab caved in and trapped them [1].
Emergency Response and Casualties
The collapse prompted immediate screams and commotion throughout the school compound, with teachers and other pupils raising the alarm, according to witness Mary Chelagat [1]. A comprehensive rescue operation quickly mobilised, involving teachers, police officers, local community members, and county disaster teams [3]. All eleven children were successfully rescued from the collapsed structure and transported to Kapsabet County Referral Hospital for treatment [1][3]. Nandi Central Sub-County Commander Maurice Okul confirmed that one injured pupil died at the hospital while the rest underwent treatment [1]. Of the survivors, eight pupils were reported to be in stable condition, whilst two remained in critical condition, with one requiring specialised treatment [1].
Presidential Response and Support
Upon hearing reports of the disaster, President Ruto made an unscheduled stop at the affected school to express his regret over the tragic incident [2]. The Head of State demonstrated immediate support by providing KSh 5 million for infrastructure development at the school before continuing to his planned destination at Kapsabet Girls High School [2]. The county disaster management team, led by Laurine Cherono, coordinated the emergency response and assisted in evacuating the injured pupils to hospital [1]. Cherono urged the public to activate emergency numbers to help authorities respond quickly to any calamities in the future [1].
Safety Concerns and Preventive Measures
The tragedy has highlighted serious safety concerns at educational facilities serving vulnerable populations, particularly schools for children with disabilities [GPT]. Dr Angline Kirui emphasised that school management must exercise extra caution to minimise such disasters, especially during the ongoing rainy season when structural integrity may be compromised [1]. The incident underscores the need for regular infrastructure assessments at educational institutions, particularly regarding aging septic systems and other potentially hazardous structures that may not be immediately visible to students and staff [GPT]. The collapse of what was described as an old septic tank approximately 20 feet long raises questions about maintenance protocols and safety inspections at schools across the region [2].