At least one pupil has died and several others injured when strong winds destroyed classroom roofs at Pascal Academy in Nakuru East. The incident happened on Friday afternoon, triggering an emergency response. It raises concerns about school safety amid recent weather warnings.
The incident took place on the afternoon of Friday, January 16, while pupils were inside the classrooms. A powerful wind tore off the classroom roofs and collapsed some temporary structures at the school. Desks, learning materials, and building debris were scattered across the classrooms and the playground.
Teachers and learners panicked and rushed for safety as the debris fell, resulting in the death of one pupil and injuries to others. Emergency responders were alerted immediately, and community members hurried to the scene to help the injured pupils, most of whom are local residents.
Witness accounts indicate the school is new and built on land prone to cyclones, prompting questions about the decision to construct it there. The injured pupils were rushed to nearby hospitals, with investigations ongoing to determine the circumstances of the tragedy.
This latest event has sparked concerns among Kenyans about learner safety in schools, even as pupils began their first term following the reopening last week. It comes days after the Kenya Meteorological Department warned residents in various parts of the country to prepare for strong winds exceeding 25 knots (12.5 m/s).
According to Kenya Met, the winds were expected mainly in the Coastal region, Rift Valley, Nyanza, and western and Central Kenya for the next seven days, until January 20. The weather department cautioned that such winds could cause severe damage, including destruction of buildings, uprooting of trees, and maritime dangers to boats.
