Two directors of Amazement Park where 5 KCPE students drowned, teacher released on Ksh.1M bond

The two, Nickson Koimur and his wife Beatrice Kigen were arraigned alongside Arap Moi Primary Deputy Head Teacher Judy Chesang.

Appearing before Eldoret Chief Magistrate Maureen Kesse, the three answered to charges of negligence resulting in loss of lives contrary to the law.

Court documents seen by Citizen Digital read, “On 28/10/2023 at Amazement Park located at Ainamoi sub-county, the three jointly caused the deaths of Caleb Chirchir, Godwin Sitienei, Abel Kipkemoi, Anthony Kiptoo na Evans Kiplimo.”

Koimur and his wife Beatrice were also charged with managing a boat business without a permit and operating a boat transport contrary to the laid-out guidelines of water transport.

The trio pleaded not guilty to the charges and were released on Ksh.1 million bond each or a surety of Ksh.200,000 cash bail.

The case will be mentioned on April 29.

The incident which occurred a day before the 2023 national exams saw the five KCPE candidates drown after their boat capsized on the man-made lake.

According to a police report then, the five students were part of a group of Standard Six and Standard Eight students accompanied by teachers to the hotel for recreational activities.

Five Standard Eight students drowned, while one Standard Six student survived and was taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital with severe oxygen deficiency.

Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu said his ministry would collaborate with the Interior Ministry to conduct "thorough and conclusive investigations into the incident."

A probe would later lead to the arrest of the duo.