By Wanja Waweru
A stampede occurred during the distribution of bursary forms at Githurai 45 in Kiambu county, resulting in at least one death and numerous injuries.
The incident was being personally issued by Ruiru Member of Parliament Simon King’ara when an eyewitness claimed the villagers were fighting to be served by him.
“The crowd was big when people started pushing each other when the deceased who was number 783 fell. Unfortunately, after falling he was run over and died while three other women were also injured and rushed to a nearby hospital,” a witness explained.
James Atanga, the deceased, was transported from a neighboring hospital to Kenyatta University Teaching, Research and Referral Hospital, where he was declared dead when he arrived.
He has two children and was 45 years old.
James Munyangi left the house, according to his wife Pamela Munyangi, to pick up a bursary application for their Form 4-year-old child.
“It was around 6.00 am. He received a call from a friend who asked him to go and collect a bursary form, when he got there, there were so many people who were disorderly, pushing each other and fighting for a space in the queue. My husband fell and succumbed from the stampede,” she told local media.
The exercise was halted after the incident.
According to the MP, the exercise was to take place in three wards.
“Bursary form issuance has commenced at Githurai Kwa DO CDF hall, where we are giving Mwiki, Kiuu and later Mwihoko ward,” The MP wrote on Facebook.
