In recent times, Kenya has seen an alarming increase in sudden deaths among schoolchildren, and the latest case involves eight-year-old Patrick Bahati from Thika.
Patrick, a student at a local school, passed away unexpectedly during a cross-country event, raising serious concerns about the safety measures in place during such activities.
Patrick was a Pre-Primary Two student at his Thika school. On the day of the event, the school organized a four-kilometre walk for the students. Tragically, during this event, Patrick collapsed and later died.
This incident has not only shocked the community but has also left his family questioning the school's actions and decisions.
Before the event, Patrick's mother, Wawira, had expressed her concerns about her son participating. She had requested that Patrick be excused from the activity because he was not comfortable with it.
However, her plea was reportedly ignored, and Patrick was made to participate despite his reluctance. Wawira’s request highlights a significant issue regarding how schools handle parental concerns and the well-being of their students.
In a tearful recount, Wawira shared that Patrick had called her shortly before the event began. During the call, Patrick expressed his unease and unhappiness about participating in the walk.
“My son called me right before the event, and he was very upset,” Wawira said. “I asked the school not to let him take part, but they ignored me. Now, I’m left wondering why they didn’t follow my instructions.”
The situation took a tragic turn when Patrick collapsed during the event. Teachers quickly took action and rushed him to Avenue Hospital in Thika. Despite their efforts, Patrick was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. This swift and tragic end has left his family and the community devastated.
The death of Patrick has sparked outrage and concern among his family and the local community. They are demanding answers from the school about why their requests were not honored and what measures were in place to ensure the safety of the students during such events. The lack of clear communication and the failure to address parental concerns have amplified the family’s distress.
Thika Police Commander Lawrence Mushangi has announced that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of Patrick’s death. The investigation aims to uncover whether there were any lapses in safety protocols or other factors that contributed to this tragic outcome.
As the investigation continues, Patrick’s funeral is scheduled for today, September 7. The family and community are coming together to mourn the loss of a young life cut short and to seek justice and answers for the tragic events that unfolded.
0 Comments