Introduction:
In a heart-wrenching incident, two Grade 3 pupils from Lieta Kabunde Primary School in Homa Bay lost their lives as they drowned in River Obambo while heading home. The devastating turn of events unfolded after the children, Jim Paul Juma (9) and Peter Ochieng (10), were sent home to collect a fee balance of KSh 800. With grief-stricken parents blaming the school administration for the tragedy, demands for explanations and investigations into the allegedly illegal payments intensified.
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The Incident Involving Grade 3 Pupils:
Jim Paul Juma and Peter Ochieng, students of Lieta Kabunde Primary School, met a tragic fate while swimming in the local River Obambo. Sent home by the school to retrieve a remaining fee balance of KSh 800 after paying KSh 200, the children’s bodies were discovered on Thursday, February 1. The incident has left the community in shock and mourning.
Photo credit: Arnold Oumah
Parental Outcry over the Death of the Grade 3 Pupils:
Parents expressed outrage over the circumstances leading to the pupils’ deaths, pointing fingers at the school administration. The school had demanded a total fee of KSh 1000 from each student, leading to the tragic consequences of sending them home for a balance collection. Hilda Juma, the mother of Jim Paul, recounted how her son left home for school in the morning only to be sent back after three hours, ultimately leading to his untimely death.
Blame on School Administration:
Samson Nyong’o, Peter Ochieng’s father, squarely blamed the school’s administration for his son’s demise. He attributed the tragedy to what he deemed as illegal payments imposed on parents, calling on the school and education officials to provide explanations for the deaths of the two minors.
Calls for Investigation:
Education officers promptly visited the school, acknowledging the severity of the incident. They assured the community that investigations had been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic drowning of the two young pupils.
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Conclusion:
As the Homa Bay community grapples with the devastating loss of Jim Paul Juma and Peter Ochieng, questions loom over the responsibility and accountability of the school administration. The demand for transparency and justice underscores the need for a thorough investigation into the events leading to this heartbreaking incident, shedding light on the alleged financial burden placed on parents and ensuring the safety and well-being of students in the region.
