The 14 years old pupil passed away on Tuesday night shortly after completing her first day of the national examinations.
According to the school’s head teacher Lydia Mwangi, the pupil was unwell as she sat for her examinations.
Mwangi said the school informed her mother who picked her immediately after her she was done with the examinations and took her to the hospital.
The head-teacher noted that the pupil, Lucy Wambui, however passed away shortly after undergoing treatment at Thika Level 5 hospital and being discharged.
The teacher who was speaking during a visit by water Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui noted that the pupil’s sudden death shocked other candidates.
“We have however counseled them to enable them to sit for the day’s examinations with courage,” Mwangi said.
Mwangi said the administration of the school had hoped that the girl would get better after receiving treatment and join the others for the rest of the examinations.
“I was shocked this morning when I received a phone call from the area chief informing me that Wambui had passed away last night,” she told the CS.
Murang’a county commissioner John Elung’ata said it was unfortunate that the girl was diagnosed with rabies too late.
Elungata condoled with the entire school fraternity and appealed to the candidates to take courage as they embarked on their second day of the national examinations.
He said the death is the second to occur in the county since the examinations started with the first one being a KCSE candidate who collapsed and died during a form four students’ party at Gaichanjiru Boys High School on Saturday night.
“The examinations have been going on well without any other incidences,” Elungata said.
Chelugui on his part challenged the candidates to brave the death of their colleague and perform their best despite their circumstances.
The CS who toured several schools in Gatanga Sub County on Wednesday morning noted that all cabinet secretaries had been dispatched to various parts of the country to encourage students and ensure integrity is observed throughout the exercise.
He said the government to commit to totally eradicate cheating during national examinations which he said may compromise the professionalism of the country.
Cheaters, he pointed out, later find themselves in professions that they are not properly equipped to handle and end up failing and negatively affecting the economy.
-ALICE WAITHERA