KIAMBU, Kenya, Jan, 26 – Police have launched investigations into the death of a class eight pupil from Lower Kihara primary school in Kiambaa, Kiambu county, after his parents questioned the manner in which their son died on Monday.
According to the deceased family, they received a phone call from the school administration that a tragic accident occurred and their child had unfortunately lost his life shortly after being rushed to hospital.
The deceased family has however disputed the claims saying that their son was being punished by the school for unknown reasons and was forced to scale a flag post as a disciplinary action.
“I demand to know how my son died, did he die in school or hospital? How can a teacher allow a child to scale a flag post considering the dangers it poses?” asked the deceased mother.
Police were shortly after the family arrived at the school called into action with preliminary reports revealing that the 12 year old class eight pupil was part of a science lesson that went tragic.
Speaking to Shahidi News, Kiambaa police commander Michael Muchiri said that the deceased had not been punished by his teachers.
“It was during a science lesson, we received a report the rope being used in the practical lesson got stuck….we are told one learner volunteered to scale the flag post in order to unwind the rope. He reached the top but while trying to scale down, he lost his grip and fell to the ground,” the Kiambaa police boss said.
The student was shortly after the incident rushed to hospital by teachers.
He however succumbed to his injuries while on the road.
“Do you really know the pain of a mother? This is the pain of a mother. I demand to know what happened to my child. I have been bringing my child to this school since he was in class one now you are saying he is dead?,” the mother said.
Attempts by members of the community to storm the school administration block proved futile after police lobbed tear gas canisters to disperser them.
The school’s head teacher was not in the school during the incident.
Police further revealed this is not the first time such an incident has occurred.
On several instances, the deceased has allegedly volunteered to scale the flag post after being allowed by his teachers.
His parents however reiterate that a child should not be allowed to engage in such dangerous act when the administration can easily seek the services of a professional.
“It is big lose to their family, because the learner was preparing to sit for his exams. I want to pass my condolences to the child’s family. Schools must however have measure in place if this happens, learners should not be called on to unwind it when it gets stuck,” Muchiri said.
Investigations to establish what transpired on the fateful day are ongoing.
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