59-year-old school head collapses, dies in office

A school head in Thika collapsed and died on Thursday afternoon.

Thika Sub-county police boss Beatrice Kiraguri said the Chania Boys Principal, Alan Macharia, was pronounced dead on arrival at Thika Level Five Hospital where he had been rushed at around 1pm.

Simon Wahome, the deputy principal, said Macharia was in his office together with the secretary and the school bursar when he complained of difficulty in breathing. He further stated that Macharia arrived at the school at around 8.30am and held a two-hour meeting with a board member and a contractor over construction of a new dormitory.

"I was called in from my house by the bursar. I found the principal in his car and drove him to Thika hospital where he was pronounced dead,” Wahome said.

He said according to the secretary, the head teacher complained of shortness of breath and walked out of his office to his car, where he collapsed.

Thika West Heads Association chairman Julius Muraya said he was shocked by the death. He described the teacher as a hardworking and selfless man who loved his job.

“The deceased was not only a colleague, but a close family friend. I am deeply saddened by his death," said Muraya.

He said Macharia was on medication after he suffered a heart attack and was hospitalised three years ago. It is the reason the deceased, a former long serving principal of Kirogo Boys in Murang’a County, was transferred closer home in order to manage his health.

His son Mwangi Macharia described his father as a loving and caring man who provided for his family. His body was moved to Kenyatta University mortuary.