Police in Tinderet Sub-county, Nandi County, are investigating an incident in which a Form One student lost his life after an alleged corporal punishment by his teachers.
Kelvin Kiptanui, 16, a student at Chemase Secondary, died at Nandi Hills County Hospital shortly after he was admitted in critical condition.
The deceased, who was only two weeks old at the institution, is said to have been assaulted by his teachers for copying answers from a Physics textbook during a Friday afternoon examination.
Tinderet Sub-county Police Commander Ali Jire said the matter was reported on Sunday, March 5 by the mother of the student.
“It is a very disturbing, and complex matter because the school is yet to make a formal report with the police over the death and the circumstances surrounding the incident,” Jire said.
The mother of the deceased, Monica Cherobon, said her son was well and in good condition when he left home for school that morning
“He was rushed to a nearby dispensary but later on referred to Nandi Hills County Hospital in Nandi East,” mother said.
After the incident, Nandi County Commissioner Herman Shiambi called for a thorough investigation to establish exactly what happened.
When asked, Martin Masika, the school’s Principal, said he had nothing to comment on the incident as the matter was already in the hands of education officers.
“I have taken the matter to the Ministry of Education and I’m not in a position to comment, just make a follow-up with the concerned officials,” Masika said.
The body of the deceased is being preserved at Nandi Hills Hospital Mortuary awaiting a postmortem examination.
