Pupil’s death lands teacher in court

The proprietor of a Kirinyaga primary school was on Thursday brought to court in connection with the death of a Class Seven pupil.

No charges were preferred against Mr James Kariuki, the owner of Roka Preparatory Boarding Primary School in Mwea, as police are still investigating the death of 16-year-old Martin Muchiri on Wednesday.

The boy is said to have succumbed to injuries sustained after Mr Kariuki, who also teaches at the school, allegedly caned him.

Muchiri, who was a class prefect, is said to have been caned for a discipline-related matter.

The boy collapsed after being hit on the back of his head.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Muchiri’s death prompted rioting by parents along the Mwea-Embu road and the closure of the school.

His mother, Ms Mercy Wambui, 39, yesterday was in pain trying to come to terms with the death of her only child.

The single mother said she learnt of her son’s death with great shock.

“I was on a business trip when one of the teachers called and told me that my son was dead. I left all I was doing and rushed to the school only to be told that the body of my son was at Mwea Mission Hospital mortuary,” she said amid sobs.

COMPLETE INTERROGATION

Police asked the court for more time to complete investigating the matter before coming up with charges against the teacher.

Senior resident magistrate Stephen Ngii allowed the investigating officer 14 days to complete interrogation and report to the court.

The magistrate also ordered that Mr Kariuki be released on a Sh500,000 bond with a surety in similar amount.

The case will be mentioned on April 9.