The Ministry of Education has launshed investigations into the death of a Form Three student at Kangaru Boys in Embu County after he was allegedly beaten by a teacher.
Kennedy Fundi, 18, died on Sunday night at Nairobi Hospital where he had been fighting for his life.
The former pupil of Riandu Primary School was described as a bright student and was under sponsorship of Equity Bank’s Wings to Fly program.
His aunt and guardian Irene Ruguru Nyaga said the boy’s problems started on February 28 when he, alongside two other boys, were late for class and the teacher allegedly beat them up with a mopping stick.
Ms Nyaga said Fundi told him that the mop’s handle snapped and hit him below the knee fracturing his leg.
She said the boy braved the pain for the entire lesson and later sought treatment at the school dispensary.
On Friday March 1, the school management, according to Ms Nyaga, took him to a private hospital when an x-ray was done and the doctor requested that he remains at the facility for a while as they observe him.
“The teachers instead took him to the Embu Level Five Hospital where he was plastered,” said Ms Nyaga.
She said the teacher who beat him brought him crutches but which were longer than his height and inflicted more strain on his injured leg and the limbs occasioning difficulty in breathing.
Ms Nyaga said when she visited the school on Thursday, the administration had told the boy to lie how he sustained the injury.
Ms Nyaga said she reported the matter at the Embu police station, adding the Directorate of Criminal Investigations were probing the matter.
She said a post-mortem is slated for today at Nairobi Hospital while Equity Bank had volunteered to meet all the expenses.
Embu County Director of Education, James Kairu said a team drawn from the Ministry and Teacher Service Commission officials was probing the matter.