Woman beats child to death for refusing to attend school

Moi avenue primary school teacher Vivian Chepkoech assists pupils in learning during a class demonstration during the Nairobi Innovation Week at the University of Nairobi on 8th March 2017 [PHOTO: DAVID GICHURU/Standard]

Police in Chepsaita village, Turbo Constituency (Uasin Gishu County) are holding a woman who allegedly beat her child to death.

The woman who is being held at a police station in Kipkaren is alleged to have hit the 11 year old boy after failing to go to school.

Confirming the incident, Chepsaita area chief Charles Sawe said they arrested the mother after she disciplined the boy and inflicted injuries which led to the minor’s death.

"According to the mother, the boy was told to go to school but he went and came back, prompting her to discipline him. She beat him to the extent that the boy fainted," said the Chief.

According to neighbors, the boy was resuscitated and due to the pains inflicted, he asked to go and sleep.

"The boy never woke up. It is the wails from the neighbors that attracted a huge crowd which bayed for her blood. We were notified of the situation, acted promptly and rescued the mother," he added.

Sawe observed that the mother might have acted tough on the son following efforts by the local administrators to ensure that every parent should take their children to school.

"We have been tough on parents who have abdicated their roles to educate their children, recently we warned those who are letting their children to opt for casual jobs, and there is a possibility that the deceased has been going to work in the sugarcane plantations and not going to school," he said.

The body of the deceased was taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.