A 12-year old boy was killed Monday afternoon and eight others injured after an explosive device they were playing with went off at Victor’s children home, Burat ward, Isiolo County.
The incident happened while the children were playing after a party for class eight pupils in the facility.
One of the eight children who were injured is a candidate who was expected to sit for Kenya certificate Primary Education (KCPE) exams.
Isiolo County Director for Education Dr. Keroi Hussein Ali said that the child was being assessed at Isiolo County referral Hospital to establish if he will be ready for the exam on Tuesday.
According to eye witnesses including the institution’s founder, Pastor Martin Miriti, the explosive device went off at around 4.00 pm when the 12 year old victim who was a class two pupil accidentally removed the grenade’s safety pin, leading to a massive blast that tore his little body to pieces, and injured eight others.
Isiolo county commissioner George Ondego said that the explosive was among those that were being used a long time ago when the area was a war zone.Ondego cautioned locals against using strange apparatus especially by collecting them to sell a scrap metal.
The commissioner added that there was need for locals in the area and children to be sensitized on issues relating to explosive since many incidences have been reported previously.
Pastor Martin Miriti, the founder of the Victor’s Children Home said that they were shaken by the happening. Miriti said that it was unfortunate and traumatizing for the children especially those who will be sitting for their class eight exams.
The grenade exploded near the orphanages’ boy’s dormitory, shortly after the institution had a party with representatives from a mobile network company who had visited them with goodies.
The body of the deceased, a class two pupil was badly ruptured and was taken to county referral hospital mortuary.
Upon combing the compound, detectives located yet another bomb, which was detonated by bomb experts later.
The orphanage was established to support orphans whose parents died of HIV/Aids and is funded by Global hope church.