Mugoiri school in mourning as candidate drowns

It was all smiles, laughter and fun as more than 300 students left Mugoiri Girls in Murang'a county on Saturday.

They just did not know the tragedy that awaited them.

The Form 4 candidates were going for a relaxation session in Kirinyaga.

Mugoiri Girls principal Susan Mundia takes her candidates for a relaxing session annually, just before national examinations.

Mundia and the team were accompanied by a few board members, teachers, parents and the candidates.

“We left in six buses at around 9am and drove to Kirinyaga, Castle Lodge Kimunye," she told the Star.

The team was visiting part of Mt Kenya for a hike and another raft of activities.

After getting to their destination, the learners swam in a shallow river.

“Normally we do a journey of 6km and then they go in the water, there is a very shallow stream at that place,” Mundia said.

But they were not lucky; the shallow stream had a wave of strong currents that morning.

It was at this point that two students were thrown off by the currents.

“They were pulled towards the side where water comes from the top cliff of the waterfall,” she said.

The students drowned in a plunge pool which is a type of stream pool formed at the bottom of a waterfall.

Tension kicked in as the duo tried to raise their hands in order to be seen by the team.

“We managed to save both of them but unfortunately the deceased had swallowed too much water,” she said.

Among the people trying to help the girls was the deceased’s mother.

They sought help and called an ambulance to try to get the two girls to the hospital.

“While we were on our way to Kerugoya Level 5 hospital, we lost her,” she said.

Attempts to resuscitate the candidate were not successful.

A day that would end with joy, as it began, ended in sadness, tears, and disbelief.

On Monday morning, the family together with the principal and a few teachers conducted a post moterm.