Mystery surrounds the sudden death of eight-year-old Patrick Bahati, a pupil at a Thika-based school, as police launched a formal investigation into the incident.
The young boy died under unclear circumstances during a school cross-country event, sparking outrage from his family and raising questions about potential negligence.
The tragedy unfolded after Patrick, who was in Pre-Primary Two (PP2), collapsed during a four-kilometre walk organised by the school.
According to the boy's mother, Wawira, she had explicitly requested that her son be exempted from the event due to his reluctance to participate. Despite these instructions, the school allegedly forced the boy to join the games, leading to the devastating outcome.
"My son called me just before the event, and he was in distress," Wawira recounted tearfully. "I told the school not to make him participate, but they didn’t listen. Now I’m left wondering why my instructions were ignored."
Eyewitnesses reported that Patrick collapsed near the end of the walk. Teachers who accompanied the students rushed him to Avenue Hospital in Thika, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. The family, however, claims that the school's response has been unsatisfactory and accuses the administration of withholding crucial information.
"I haven't heard anything from the school that convinces me of what truly happened," Wawira stated. "Every person who should give me answers is telling me a different story. I don't trust their version."
Family friend Nduta Muniu echoed these concerns, stating that the school appeared to be more focused on damage control than empathy. "The school is covering up a lot, and in doing so, they're causing more pain to the family. We need to know the truth," she remarked.
Another witness, who was present when Patrick was brought to the hospital, described a grim scene. "When the child was removed from the vehicle, there was foam coming out of his mouth. He had no pulse—he was already gone."
The school has denied any negligence, insisting that all precautions were taken. In a statement signed by the director, the school outlined that Patrick had been monitored by two teachers throughout the walk. When he began to show signs of fatigue, they reportedly assisted him into a school van.
"He slumped on the seat and appeared to lose consciousness," the statement reads. "The team rushed him to Avenue Hospital, but the doctors were unable to stabilise him."
Despite this account, the family remains sceptical. "This explanation doesn’t sit well with us. My son was healthy when he left home that day. Something went wrong, and we demand to know what it was," Wawira said firmly.
Thika Police Commander Lawrence Mushangi confirmed that a full investigation is underway. According to the police commander, they are waiting on post-mortem report, which will guide us on the next steps.
The school has come under intense scrutiny from parents and the local community, with many demanding accountability. The incident has raised broader concerns about the safety protocols in schools during physical activities, particularly for young children.
As the investigation continues, the family of Patrick Bahati is left with unanswered questions and overwhelming grief. "My son was kind, obedient, and full of life," his mother reflected. "He deserved better."
The boy will be buried on Saturday, September 7.
