Thika family in agony after PP2 pupil collapses, dies during school cross-country games

A family in Thika, Kiambu County, is seeking justice following the mysterious death of their 8-year-old son, a pupil at Pebbles Academy.

The family of Patrick Bahati has accused the school of forcing their son to participate in the school’s cross-country games, despite strict instructions from the mother of the deceased to exempt her son from the games.

Teachers at the school say the boy collapsed towards the end of the 4km walk and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Citizen TV caught up with the family and friends of the late Bahati as they gathered around his family compound in Flame Tree Estate, Makongeni, following his sudden and tragic demise.

What began as a normal school day for the PP2 pupil ended tragically, with a call to his disbelieving family that their son was no more.

Bahati’s mother points an accusing finger at Pebbles Academy, where the boy is schooled, accusing the administration of not being forthcoming with the truth.

“We are still waiting to hear from the school because I still haven’t heard anything that can make me feel settled on the explanation of what exactly happened to my son. Everyone I spoke to told me a different thing,” said Ann Wawira.

“The school called Patrick’s mum and told her Patrick had participated in the cross-country event and he became unconscious along the way. The school is trying to cover up their tracks, they are not being empathetic, and they are causing more pain to the family,” added Nduta Muniu, a family friend.

Wawira, who was out of town on a business trip at the time of the tragedy, says her son made a distressing phone call minutes before the games began, pleading with her to tell the school that he didn't want to take part.

The grieving mother, however, says that despite clearly telling the school that her son shouldn't participate in the games, the school defied her wishes and forced her son to do the 4km walk, which in the end proved too much for him to bear.

“The principal is telling me this child sat down and told them he was feeling tired, so I haven’t gotten any good statement that I can even tell somebody that this is what happened to my child. Patrick was the second born; the first one is Mureithi, and Patrick is deceased now. My son was a very jovial person, a very obedient boy,” she noted.

Zipporah Kanario, another family friend, added: “Mtoto alipotolewa kwa gari nilikuwa hapo na kwa hakika tulipokea mtoto tukamwingiza ndani lakini according to my observation, alikuwa anatoa povu kwa mdomo na hakuwa na pulse kwa mkono. Huyo mtoto alikuwa ame-pass.”

In a statement, the school has, however, absolved itself of any blame or wrongdoing, saying the learner was accompanied by two teachers for the walk, who took all the necessary emergency precautions when he fainted.

The statement further states: “Patrick was assisted into the van. He then slumped on the seat and appeared to lose consciousness. The team arrived at Avenue Hospital Thika. Unfortunately, the doctors were not able to stabilize the child, and he passed on during the treatment phase.”

Thika Police Commander Lawrence Muchangi says investigating officers are awaiting a post-mortem report to proceed with investigations into the death.

Bahati will be laid to rest on Saturday at the family's home in Embu County.