Tragedy struck Queen of Angels Turbo School in Uasin Gishu County after a pit latrine collapsed on Tuesday morning, claiming the lives of three young pupils. The school, located near Turbo Girls High School, was the scene of a frantic rescue operation following the incident.

The three deceased girls aged under 10 years and in Grades One and Two were among several pupils who had gone to use the toilet when the structure caved in.

According to Turbo Sub-County Police Commander Patrick Wekesa, emergency teams were able to rescue a number of injured children, who were rushed to nearby hospitals in critical condition.

“Some of the pupils were successfully pulled out and taken to hospital, but sadly, three of them did not survive,” Wekesa said. He noted that a full statement would be issued once the scene was cleared.

An excavator was brought in to assist in the rescue and help establish whether other children were still trapped in the debris. Preliminary investigations are underway to determine what caused the collapse, although authorities believe ongoing heavy rains may have compromised the structure’s integrity.

The school, which is run by the Catholic Church, received officials from both the church and the government following the incident. Father Mathew Too, Education Secretary for Catholic schools under the Eldoret Diocese, expressed shock and sorrow.

“There were no warning signs that the toilet was unstable. This is a heartbreaking incident, and we suspect the heavy rains may have played a role,” said Father Too.

He added that engineers had been dispatched to assess all other facilities at the school to ensure they are safe for continued use.

The Director of Administration and Planning at the Department of Education, Wilson Sawe, who also visited the scene, assured the public that steps were being taken to protect other learners.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy. Investigations will establish the exact cause, but for now, we’re focusing on ensuring the safety of all remaining pupils,” Sawe said, adding that an immediate audit of all school infrastructure in the region had been ordered due to the ongoing rains.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Executive Secretary for Eldoret West, Nelson Kirui, also expressed his condolences and called on the government to prioritize safety inspections in schools.

“It is heartbreaking to lose such young lives. We urge the government to move swiftly and ensure all school facilities across the country are inspected and safe, especially now with the heavy rains,” said Kirui.