The body of a student from Kajiunduthi Secondary School was discovered in Mara River on Tuesday, July 25.
The tragic death followed a protest staged by the students late Monday evening.
The unrest reportedly erupted after police arrived to quell the demonstration. This forced the students to flee towards the river.
During the chaos, some students sustained serious injuries.
The cause of the student’s death remains uncertain. This is because the body was only discovered on Tuesday morning. Authorities have however taken his body to Chuka Referral Hospital Mortuary for further investigation.
A parent at the scene revealed that there were simmering tensions between the school administration and students over alleged mismanagement. This led to a drop in the school’s academic performance, sparking the strike.
The principal was addressing the students when chaos broke out. This prompted the deployment of police officers to the institution.
In an attempt to disperse the protesting students, the police allegedly lobbed tear gas canisters. Locals have also claimed to have heard gunshots. The gunshots caused panic among the learners who sought safety in nearby villages.
As news of the incident spread, anxious parents gathered outside the school’s main gate. They were however denied access by the school’s administration and police.
“We have come to know the whereabouts of our children after we heard about the incident. Some students have sustained injuries. Others tore their uniforms during the commotion,” one parent said.
“It’s also painful to learn that one of the students lost his life. We are yet to identify the parent of the student,” the parent added.
The grieving parents expressed their shock and sorrow over the student’s death, condemning the use of excessive force by the police. They called for a thorough investigation to ascertain the circumstances leading to the tragic event and urged for accountability.
The loss of the young student’s life has sparked outrage and demands for justice from the community.
