School on spot over punishment that left student hospitalised

The family of a Form Four student said to have been seriously injured after a teacher beat him up is crying for justice.

According to the 17-year-old student, the teacher punished him for visiting the toilet during class time. The incident which happened on March 3 was reported at Etenje Police Post.

"I was with a fellow student when the teacher confronted us and demanded to know why we were not in class," explained the student at St Bedas Bukaya Secondary School in Mumias West.

The teacher is alleged to have pounced on the student, hitting him with a stick until he lost consciousness. He regained consciousness hours later at Bukaya Health Centre where he had been rushed.

His family was only informed of the incident six hours after it became apparent he would be admitted for close supervision. The boy who is an orphan was diagnosed with soft tissue injuries on the neck and left hip. He cannot walk properly because of the injuries and has difficulties in passing urine.

The family is demanding that the Ministry of Education and the police move in to investigate the assault case.

When reached for comment, the principal, Vitalis Anusu, said he had not been in school for over a week and was not aware of the incident.

Mumias West Sub-county education officer Francis Shikanda said he had not been briefed on the case.