Tragedy struck at a Kakamega-based secondary school on Sunday after a student collapsed while playing football and later died at the Kakamega County General Hospital.
According to Kakamega Central Sub-County Police Commander Vincent Cherutich, the student, identified as David Owuor, was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. The incident occurred shortly after a routine Sunday service attended by students at the school.
School principal Julius Mambili confirmed the identity of the deceased, stating that there were no known pre-existing medical conditions affecting the student.
“He was playing football with his fellow students when he hit the ball with his head, collapsed, and became unconscious,” Principal Mambili explained.
Fellow students initially attempted to perform first aid on David, but their efforts were unsuccessful. He was quickly rushed to the school dispensary for further assistance, where medical personnel also attempted to revive him without success. He was then transferred to Kakamega County General Hospital, where he was declared dead upon arrival.
“Fellow students tried to offer first aid, but he was not responsive. He was then taken to the dispensary and later to the hospital,” Police Commander Cherutich reiterated.
Principal Mambili described David as a sociable and average-performing student who was well-liked by his peers and teachers.
“The deceased was an outgoing student who performed averagely in academics. He was liked by everyone. We condole with the family. The family has lost, and we as the Kakamega school community have lost too,” Mambili added.
The school administration has already reached out to David’s parents, who are based in Eldoret, to inform them of the tragic incident.
As the school community reels from the loss, Principal Mambili has urged patience and calm while they await the results of a post-mortem examination, which is expected to determine the exact cause of death.
Counseling and Support
Following the tragedy, the school has initiated counseling sessions for affected students and staff, acknowledging the emotional toll such an incident can have on the young learners and the broader school community.
Call for Safety Measures in School Sports
The incident has sparked conversations about safety protocols in school sporting activities, with education stakeholders calling for enhanced emergency preparedness and mandatory health screenings for students involved in physical activities.
The Ministry of Education is yet to issue a formal statement on the matter.