Teacher acquitted over death of student

A Bungoma Court has acquitted a teacher who had been accused of being behind the death of a student last week.

Chrispinus Wanyonyi, a teacher at Bishop Atundo High School in Kimaeti, Bumula Sub County, was accused of beating a 16-year old boy that resulted in his death.

It is alleged that the teacher who was doing his normal disciplinary sessions during a math revision class, beat Bethwel Ogola, a Form Two student until he fell to the ground injuring his head.

Bethwel was later taken to a local dispensary and later transferred to Bungoma West Hospital where he was in a coma.

The incident is said to have occurred on February 11 this year and Bethwel later died on March 3rd while undergoing treatment.

According to the relatives, the boy was hit at the back of the head hence injuring him and that’s what led to his death. They are now seeking justice for the lost soul.

Police asked to be given 14 more days to finish their investigation but they were granted seven days by Magistrate Charles Mutai sighting that in the interest of justice.

However, a postmortem report presented before the court on Tuesday showed that Bethwel had succumbed to cardiac arrest after suffering a stroke.

The court stated that Wanyonyi be set free unconditionally.

KUPPET Bungoma County Secretary, Augustine Luketelo, said the verdict was in order as teachers were facing accusations from all circles.

Luketelo stated that teachers were increasingly being victimized for happenings in schools and needed protection from the government.

He said teachers needed better protection from their employer, Teachers Service Commission, instead of being thrown under the bus every time.

He cited the incident where a teacher in Nakuru was beaten and killed by students for confiscating a phone and no statement has been issued by the government.

“We need better protection from the government. Teachers are being embarrassed every time and it seems we are being the enemy,” he stated.