Boat in five KCPE learners tragedy not registered

The ill-fated boat that claimed the lives of five Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam candidates in October was not registered with the necessary government agents to operate, investigations have revealed.

Following the investigations, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has confirmed the popular Amazement Park in Eldoret where the tragedy happened had not registered the killer boat with Kenya Marine Authority (KMA) as required.

“Due to failure to register the boat, the safety of users was not guaranteed and the qualification of the boat instructors was not established,” stated the DCI investigation report.

The DCI has since forwarded the report to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for further action.
Kenya Tourism Board, among other state parastatals, have also filed their report about the operations of the recreation joint which is situated in Ainabkoi constituency, Uasin Gishu County.

“Findings show that the hotel had not complied with several requirements for operation,” said the report.
North Rift Director of Public Prosecutions David Fedha confirmed that his office had received the report and was going through it before giving further directions on the matter.

“We have received the report and we will soon make our recommendations as per the law,” he said.
According to police, the five slain candidates were among a group from Arap Moi Primary School in Eldoret that was visiting Amazement Park days before the start of their national examination.

The victims broke off from the group to take a boat ride on a man-made lake at the park when the tragedy happened. A Grade Six pupil narrowly survived the accident and was rushed to hospital for medical attention. The school’s head teacher Liza Kirui was rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret after fainting on learning about the tragic incident.