Form Three Ainamoi student drives nail into head of principal

The Form Three student, 18, is accused of hitting his principal in the head. [File, Standard]

Police in Kericho County are hunting a Form Three student who drove a nail into the head of his principal yesterday after he was allegedly asked to clear a Sh7,000 fee balance.

Earlier in the day, Geoffrey Rono, the principal of Ainamoi Secondary School, had ordered that the boy’s desk and chair be taken away until he clears the balance.

In the evening, the 18-year-old learner reached for a wooden plank that had a nail protruding from it, and hit the principal in the head, consequently driving a part of the four-inch nail into the headteacher’s skull.

The principal was immediately taken to hospital, where he was accorded emergency care, including managing haemorrhage and dressing of the wound.

Kericho County Kuppet secretary, Mary Rotich, told The Standard the incident happened at the principal’s office at 6:30pm Wednesday.

“Rono suffered serious injuries, and was bleeding profusely from the head,” said the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers representative.

“Fortunately, he was rushed to hospital immediately, where he was treated,” she added.

Kericho County Police Commander Silas Gichunge told The Standard Rono was discharged late Wednesday, June 9.

A witness, who spoke to The Standard in confidence, said the learner was angered after he was asked earlier in the day to settle the fee arrears.

“He attacked the principal in the evening while leaving for home,” said the informant, who alleged the teenager had a history of threatening violence on teachers.

“He recently threatened to hit a teacher in the head with a broken clay cup,” said the source.

Kericho police boss Gichunge said a hunt for the suspect, who did not return home Wednesday night, is ongoing.