Eleven students from Kapsabet School for the Deaf were rushed to hospital on Thursday morning after the septic tank they were standing on collapsed beneath them as they scrambled to catch a glimpse of President William Ruto’s passing motorcade.

The incident occurred when the students, eager to see the Head of State, gathered on top of an old septic tank — approximately 20 feet long — situated within the school compound. The structure gave way under the weight, sending the students plunging into it.

First Responders on Scene

The incident was confirmed by Kapsabet County CEC Angeline Kirui, who was among the first officials to arrive at the scene. Rescuers and County Disaster Management officers responded swiftly, pulling the injured students from the collapsed tank before rushing them to Kapsabet County Referral Hospital for treatment.

The extent of the students’ injuries has not been fully disclosed, but all eleven were confirmed to have been hospitalised.

President Ruto Makes Unscheduled Stop

Upon receiving reports of the tragedy, President Ruto halted his motorcade and made an unscheduled stop at the school to personally assess the situation. The Head of State expressed regret over the incident and offered his condolences to the affected students and the school community.

In a show of support, President Ruto pledged Ksh. 5 million toward the development of infrastructure at the school — a facility that serves learners with hearing impairments who are among Kenya’s most vulnerable student populations.

The President thereafter proceeded to his scheduled destination at Kapsabet Girls.

Questions Over School Infrastructure

The incident has raised fresh concerns about the state of infrastructure in public schools, particularly those serving students with special needs. The fact that students were standing on a decades-old septic tank points to deeper questions about safety standards and the maintenance of school facilities across the country.

The collapse serves as a stark reminder that aging infrastructure in learning institutions poses a real and present danger to students. Advocacy groups and education stakeholders are likely to call for urgent audits of physical structures in schools — especially those housing vulnerable populations.

As the eleven students recover at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital, the hope is that the President’s pledge marks not just a gesture of sympathy, but the beginning of meaningful investment in the safety and dignity of every learner.