Beatrice Chepchirchir, the director of Amazement Park in Uasin Gishu where 5 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) candidates drowned, revealed that the candidates had visited the park to boost their morale ahead of the national examinations.
Speaking to the press, Chepchirchir stated that the park attracts KCPE and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates for bonding and motivational meetings explaining that the deceased students must have sneaked away from the rest of the team and proceeded to the dam area.
"Yesterday, the class eight students came for their motivational talk. They usually come before their examinations," she explained expressing her sorrow regarding the tragedy that claimed five lives.
"I can only say that they sneaked into a prohibited area. The headteacher is also not okay and we are really sorry. It was not our wish for this to happen."
Another worker at the facility, Nixon Koimur, hinted that the candidates chose a canoe for their adventure, which is designed for a maximum of 3 people.
"They selected a canoe that we have here and started rowing themselves," he stated noting that the students overloaded the boat which then capsized.
The 5 candidates who were preparing to sit the national examinations at Arap Moi Primary School in Uasin Gishu County, drowned on Saturday.
The tragic accident occurred at approximately 5 pm when the group of pupils visited the Amazement Park in Eldoret.
Anita Koech, the mother to one of the deceased, indicated that she was in pain since the deceased son was her eldest child.
"I am in pain because my child was working hard and now I have lost him. He was my first-born," she stated amidst tears.
On Sunday morning, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu expressed his remorse to the families who lost their children to the tragedy.
He further noted that his Ministry alongside the Ministry of Interior has commenced investigations to establish the cause of the accident.
"I am working closely with my counterpart in the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, Prof. Kithure Kindiki, to ensure thorough and conclusive investigations are conducted into the unfortunate incident," Machogu stated.
