Kakamega
By Wilson Abiri
- The class five pupil collapsed and died shortly after leaving the hospital
- She was among the survivors of the deadly stampede that claimed live of 14 pupils
- She had spent one week in the ICU
- Kakamega primary school has since reopened
A somber mood engulfed Amalemba estates as relatives and friends were overcome by emotions during the funeral service of Salma Bilal.
Her death brings the total number of pupils who died in the stampede to 15.
Bilal died on Monday evening shortly after being discharged from the Intensive Care Unit at the Kakamega County Referral hospital.
The class five pupil of Kakamega Primary School had spent a week in the ICU after surviving the deadly stampede at the school that claimed the lives of 14 pupils on February 3, this year.
Other 14 pupils who also died following the stampede are Antonatte Khayumba, Prudence Eliza, Catherine Aloo, Prince Vermaline, Nichole Achola, Venesa Andeso, Fidel Kumbetie, Simon Waweru, Samuel Simekha, Lavenda Akasa, June Nakhumicha, Joseph Mutsami and Bertha Munywele and Nailah Kiverenge.
Abdala Bidal, the pupil’s uncle told the mourners that Salma after being discharged was jovial that medics had saved her from the jaws of death but things worsened immediately they arrived home.
“As she was relaxing in the sitting room, we heard a loud bang and on rushing to see what was happening, we found her on the floor writhing in pain after collapsing. We rushed her back to the hospital but doctors told us that she had since died,” said Abdala amidst tears of sorrow.
Kakamega County government pathologist, Dr Dickson Mchana, said the autopsy revealed that she died after developing complications in her lungs, thanks to the injuries she sustained during the stampede.
Kakamega Primary School headteacher, Dickson Wanyangu, while paying tributes to the fallen angels, said that death had robbed the country future leaders.
Wanyangu while crying, said it was very hard to come to terms over what happened and that pupils and teachers are still traumatized and need counseling and prayers.
However, parents have started transferring their pupils to neighbouring public schools after rumours went around that devil worshipers offered the lives of the pupils as a sacrifice to their gods.
Ends