Tragedy has struck in Kabete after two Grade Nine pupils from Muguga Primary School drowned in a rain-filled quarry. Local divers help retrieve bodies of the two pupils. The two minors reportedly drowned in the water shortly after taking part in a tree-planting exercise to mark Mazingira Day. How did Kiambu Grade Nine pupils drown? The victims, a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy, had joined their classmates and teachers in school for the environmental conservation activity before one of them decided to swim in the nearby quarry.
Kabete Sub-County Police Commander Peter Kimotho confirmed the incident, revealing that the boy died while trying to save the girl. He explained that the young man was not part of the group swimming but responded to a distress call from the others. “One of them went in first, and when they saw their friend starting to sink, they tried to raise the alarm. Then the other pupil came to rescue her and ended up sinking himself,” Kimotho stated. Rescue efforts went on for hours, but both pupils lost their lives, with their bodies being taken to PCEA Kikuyu Hospital mortuary. The two pupils were Kenya Junior School Certificate assessment candidates, and their untimely deaths have left many grappling with grief and disbelief.
Residents expressed shock and sorrow over the loss of the promising pupils, recounting that they had just held a prayer event for their national exams. “We are deeply saddned because we had prayed for them to be able to sit their exams, but now they will not be able to,” Mumbi Ngigi, Muguga resident. The police boss urged parents and community members to be more vigilant with children during such events. He described the open quarry as a death trap to anyone in society that should never have been left exposed. “Parents, we must be more watchful over our children. These pupils had gone to school for a tree-planting exercise but decided to come and swim in this open quarry. This place poses a danger not only to children but also to adults who use it. Anyone operating a quarry must ensure it is covered once work is complete to prevent such disasters. This is a tragedy that should not be accepted anywhere,” Kimotho said.
By Didacus Malowa
