Kilifi Pupil Dies After Alleged Beating by Teacher at Gongoni Primary School

A 15-year-old pupil at Gongoni Primary School in Junju, Kilifi County, has died following an alleged assault by her teacher during a classroom session.

Anestine Tunje, a Grade 8 student, reportedly suffered a fatal head injury after being struck on the head for failing to answer a question. Witnesses say the teacher asked pupils about sexual behaviour and punished those who did not respond by forcing them to kneel before hitting them.

The teacher has not returned to the school since the incident, which has led to unrest among pupils and staff. Anestine, who aspired to become an athlete, returned home after the incident, complaining of a severe headache.

Her father, Alex Tunje, a boda boda rider, said she refused to seek medical care, fearing she would miss her exams. Her condition worsened over the next few days, and she was eventually admitted to hospital, where she died. A post-mortem examination confirmed that a blood clot caused her death.

The family is demanding accountability from school authorities. Mr Tunje criticised the school’s leadership for failing to communicate with the family and said no explanation or condolences had been offered by either the headteacher or the teacher involved.

“My daughter had dreams,” he said. “She was killed by the very person entrusted with her education.”

Her mother, Amina Deri, expressed sorrow and said she had left the matter to God. “Even if he is jailed, will it bring my daughter back?” she said.

The school’s administration has made no official statement. When approached by reporters, the deputy headteacher said they were unaware of the incident and later instructed staff to remove journalists from the school grounds.

Government officials have confirmed that the teacher has been arrested. Kilifi North Deputy County Commissioner Samuel Mutisya reaffirmed that corporal punishment is illegal and stressed the need to protect children’s rights in schools. “There are lawful ways to discipline a child,” he said.

Kilifi South Assistant County Commissioner Mohamed Yusuf also confirmed the arrest. However, efforts to reach the county director of education for comment have not been successful.

Corporal punishment was banned in Kenyan schools under the Children Act and other child protection laws. Despite this, cases of physical punishment continue to be reported.