Nakuru school reels under cultism claims
The entrance to Mirugi Kariuki Primary School in Nakuru East. The government says it is investigating a parent who has been spreading false information that eight pupils have died mysteriously in the school since the start of the year. PHOTO | MAGDALENE WANJA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
Teachers parents in front of the parents to allow them identify the teacher they thought was involved in the practice.
This follows reports that pupils have died under mysterious circumstances since the beginning of the year.
Head teacher says only two pupils have died since the beginning of the year and they both died in separate incidents.
The government has initiated a probe into allegations of mysterious deaths in Mirugi Kariuki Primary School in Nakuru East.
This follows reports that pupils have died under mysterious circumstances since the beginning of the year.
According to some parents, a number of pupils had expressed fear that there is a teacher in the institution who is promoting cultism and causing the deaths.
EIGHT PUPILS
In a meeting convened yesterday, the school head teacher Gitau Kimemia paraded all the teachers in front of the parents to allow them identify the teacher they thought was involved in the practice.
Mr Kimemia expressed shock in the report that more than eight pupils had died under mysterious circumstances, saying the reports were malicious and are aimed at bringing down the institution.
“Only two pupils have died since the beginning of the year and they both died in separate incidents,” said Mr Kimemia in the meeting overseen by security personnel.
He said that in April this year, a pupil sustained serious injuries while playing football and succumbed to injuries weeks later while undergoing treatment, while the second one collapsed in school and was rushed to Nakuru Referral Hospital where she died a week ago.
PROSECUTE
Nakuru County officials led by Chief of Staff Gichuhi Njoroge toured the school on a fact finding mission.
The Chief of Staff said he has sought the help of police to investigate, arrest and prosecute one of the parents leading an online campaign for mass withdrawal of pupils from the school.
The Chief of Staff was accompanied by representatives from the Teachers Service Commission, Ministry of Health and local administration who are expected to give a comprehensive report after their findings.
PRAYER
In a preliminary report, Nakuru Education, ICT and e-Government executive Raymond Komen said only two pupils had been reported dead and they would give full report once investigations are concluded.
“The Education officials will be meeting the school board of management together with parents to establish the truth of the situation,” said Mr Komen.
An interdenominational prayer meeting was later held in the school.
