At least 14 pupils have been killed in a stampede at a primary school in western Kenya, officials say.

The crush happened at Kakamega Primary School on Monday evening.

Reports say children were leaving classes for home at about 5.00pm local time when the stampede took place.

Education minister George Magoha confirmed the 14 deaths to local media.

“The loss of a child is very painful. My condolences to parents who have lost their children,” Mr Magoha told Citizen TV.

Kakamega Central police Chief David Kabena said they have launched an investigation on the cause of the tragedy.

Those injured are admitted to Kakamega County Referral Hospital.

“We have launched investigations because we want to understand exactly what happened,” Kabena told journalists at the scene, as dozens of parents rushed to hospital and the school to establish the status of their children.

There were reports that the stampede occurred as the pupils, mainly from Class 5, escaped corporal punishment.

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha said the ministry will work with security forces to establish the real cause of the tragedy, so as to take action.

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