KCPE candidate dies a day to the release of examinations results

Kisumu, Kenya: Gloom and mourning engulfed the family of 15-year old Kennedy Juma who died a night before receiving his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination results.

Relatives and friends at Kabala village in Kisumu's Nyando Sub-County are still in shock following the death of Juma who was bitten by a snake last Friday and later died on Sunday.

Juma, who had sat his examinations at Nyamkebe primary school and was among the candidates awaiting eagerly for their results was bitten by a snake while herding cattle.

He scored 235 marks in the KCPE that was released on Monday.

Instead of seeking medical attention from a dispensary barely two kilometres away, the teenager resorted to a herbalist who confirmed to him that he had been bitten.

Her elder sister, Florence Adhiambo said the boy came home on Friday evening complaining that he had been bitten by something in the swamp where he was herding their two cows.

The herbalist, Mary Andera, gave him a concoction that made him vomit and was expected to rid the body of the venom.

However, his condition worsened on Saturday morning forcing the sister to rush him to Ahero District Hospital.

"He had high fever and the spot where my brother was bit had swollen," said Adhiambo.

His father who at the moment was in Kericho sent some money that enabled the boy to be taken to hospital where he was treated and discharged. Some drugs were also prescribed for the boy.

The boy would then feel a little fatigued but was in high spirits and could move round the compound and herded the cattle in the evening.

Come Sunday evening, Juma started experiencing fever but took a bath before going to bed.

Adhiambo said later in the night when the father sought to speak with Juma, the boy started shaking and foaming.

It took 10 minutes to get a motor cycle to come pick the deceased but his body was so stiff that he couldn't sit on it prompting a neighbour to ferry him using a car.

Their grandfather, John Otieno who accompanied him to the hospital said Juma went still about a kilometre away from Ahero district hospital where he was being taken.

Following his situation at the moment, he was rushed to Avenue Hospital where he was pronounced dead an hour later. His body was transferred to Alpha hospital Mortuary.

Juma's former head teacher, George Ambuso described him as dedicated and obedient.

"He was of average ability and showed signs of improvement," he said.

His sister who was taking care of his other six siblings following the death of their mother described him as a promising brother who was hardworking and respectful.

She said Juma had ambitions of being an agriculture extension officer.