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A park in Uasin Gishu County where five Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) candidates drowned early this month has been closed down indefinitely.

The five pupils of Arap Moi Primary School in Ainabkoi Sub-County died at amusement park, about six kilometres from the institution.

In a statement, the management of the park led by its owner Nickson Koimur said they took the decision to give the community time to heal from the tragedy.

“We have temporarily closed until further notice. Kindly bear with us. We are to recover from the tragic incident and we have decided to close. We have never witnessed such an incident which claimed the bright future of the boys,” said Koimur.

According to Koimur, the ill-fated boat could only hold three people, but six boys boarded it which led to its capsizing and the eventual deaths.

Abel Kipkemboi,Caleb Kipkurui, Godwin Kiprono, Anthony Kiptoo and Evans Kiplimo drowned during the outing at the park, about six kilometres from the institution.

According to police reports, the deceased were part of a group of Standard Six and Standard Eight pupils who had been accompanied by teachers to the park for recreational activities.

Five KCPE candidates drowned while one Standard Six pupil survived the tragedy and was rushed to a nearby health facility for treatment.

Reports indicate the sole survivor of the tragedy was admitted to the hospital with acute low levels of oxygen. He has since been discharged.

The bodies of the deceased were retrieved and moved to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) mortuary and were recently laid to rest in an emotional sendoff.

The school has a tradition of taking examination candidates on field trips, particularly to the amusement parks.

People Daily established that seven KCPE candidates had separated from the rest of the group before tragedy struck.