Outrage and Grief as 8-Year-Old Dies After Being Forced Into School Games
Mystery deepens around the sudden passing of eight-year-old Patrick Bahati, a student from a Thika-based school, as authorities initiate a formal probe into the incident.
Patrick’s death, occurring during a school-organized cross-country event, has led to family outrage and raised concerns about potential negligence.
The incident took place after Patrick, a Pre-Primary Two (PP2) student, collapsed during a four-kilometer walk arranged by the school.
His mother, Wawira, had explicitly requested that Patrick not participate due to his unwillingness, but the school allegedly ignored her plea, forcing him into the event, with devastating consequences.
“My son called me in distress before the event,” Wawira recalled tearfully. “I told the school not to make him participate, but they didn’t listen. Now I’m left questioning why my instructions were ignored.”
Witnesses reported that Patrick collapsed near the end of the walk. Teachers accompanying the students rushed him to Avenue Hospital in Thika, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
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The family remains dissatisfied with the school’s response, accusing the administration of withholding key details.
“I haven’t been given a clear explanation,” Wawira said. “Everyone is telling a different story, and I don’t trust their version.”
Family friend Nduta Muniu echoed this, stating that the school seemed more focused on damage control than on showing empathy. “The school is hiding a lot, which only adds to the family’s pain. We need the truth,” she said.
Another witness present at the hospital described a troubling scene. “When the child was taken from the vehicle, foam was coming from his mouth, and he had no pulse. He was already gone.”
The school denies any wrongdoing, asserting that all necessary precautions were in place. A statement from the school director explained that two teachers monitored Patrick during the walk. When he showed signs of fatigue, they reportedly helped him into the school van.
“He slumped in his seat and seemed to lose consciousness,” the statement reads. “We rushed him to Avenue Hospital, but doctors couldn’t revive him.”
Despite this explanation, the family remains unconvinced. “This account doesn’t sit right with us. My son was healthy when he left home. Something went wrong, and we need to know what,” Wawira insisted.
Thika Police Commander Lawrence Mushangi confirmed an ongoing investigation, with the post-mortem report expected to provide further direction.
The school now faces mounting scrutiny from parents and the local community, sparking broader concerns about safety protocols in schools during physical activities, especially for young children.
As the investigation unfolds, Patrick Bahati’s family is left grappling with grief and unanswered questions. “My son was kind, obedient, and full of life,” his mother reflected. “He deserved better.”
Patrick will be laid to rest on Saturday, September 7.
Outrage and Grief as 8-Year-Old Dies After Being Forced Into School Games
