Nakuru Human Rights Network Director David Kuria has condemned an incident where a Standard Eight pupil in Subukia lost his life after he was allegedly beaten up by a teacher.
Addressing media in his Nakuru office on Wednesday morning, Kuria said it is unfortunate that such an incident can happen even after the government banned corporal punishment in schools.
The Human Rights defender called on security agents to investigate the matter urgently and have justice for the family of the deceased.
“It is so unfortunate that such an incident can happen in schools even after the Government banned corporal punishment.I therefore call upon the security agents in collaboration with the Ministry of Education to investigate the matter and ensure justice for the family” he said.
The teacher from Subukia Primary School is said to have beaten up the 14-year-old David Ndung'u with kicks and blows on October 3, after the boy performed dismally in Social Studies.
According to Elizabeth Nyokabi, the victim's mother, her son had complained of a severe headache the day he was beaten.
"My son said he was feeling sick when he came back home that day. He later told me a teacher had beaten him severely for failing to score the minimum marks he had set for the class. He said the teacher caned him everywhere, including on the head," said Ms Nyokabi.
The mother said his son told him he was considering not doing the KCPE exams because the teacher had given up on him and he was also tired of the beatings.
Nyokabi said she gave her son painkillers but the headache did not go away and therefore took him to Subukia Hospital where he was treated and discharged but Ndung'u's condition worsened last Friday. She took him back to the hospital and was referred to one in Nyahururu where he was admitted.
"By the time he was being admitted, my son was very weak. He could not walk on his own and I had to support him only to receive a call from a doctor at around 9 pm Saturday telling me my son was no more," she said.
The victim's father, John Waweru, said he went to the school for an explanation but no one told him anything.
He is now demanding for justice and action taken against the teacher to serve as an example to others
However, Samuel Ngugi from the education office said they were investigating the matter.
Area police boss Alex Ng'ang'a confirmed the matter has been reported.