A family in Kilifi South Sub-County is demanding justice after their 15-year-old daughter, Anestine Dzidza Tunje, a Grade Eight pupil at Gongoni Primary School, died following an alleged assault by her teacher.
The pupil passed away on Tuesday, September 25, 2025, while receiving treatment at the Kilifi County Referral Hospital, days after she had been caned at school on Friday, September 19.
Her father, Alex Tunje, recounted that the girl came home for lunch complaining of a severe headache but chose not to disclose what had happened. Her health quickly worsened, prompting the family to seek medical help.
“When we arrived at Vipingo Health Centre, my daughter was unable to talk. She was injected with water and painkillers. After about an hour of being tested and examined, the doctor advised us to rush her to Kilifi County Referral Hospital, where she succumbed while undergoing medical treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU),” said Tunje.
The death sparked tension at Gongoni Primary School, with pupils staging protests and disrupting learning as they accused the teacher of inflicting excessive punishment.
“This is when we realised the death of my daughter was a result of the corporal punishment allegedly served by his teacher,” Tunje added.
The family has called on the government to intervene, describing Anestine as a disciplined and promising child.
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“She was well-behaved, humble and a respectful student; we appeal for government agencies to expedite their investigation to arrest the perpetrator,” Tunje urged.
Relatives and community members expressed outrage over the incident. Caroline Kiringi, a former teacher and family member, stressed that educators must uphold discipline responsibly.
“As much as it is the duty of teachers to instil discipline, they need to exercise caution and avoid going to extremes. There are other ways to punish a student without harming them but ensuring they learn a lesson,” she said.
Government pathologist Gideon Odhiambo who conducted revealed that the girl suffered head injuries with “features of left parietal haemorrhage, secondary to blunt force trauma consistent with assaults.” A CT scan taken earlier also showed a “small left parietal subcortical parenchymal haemorrhage with minimal pericesional oedema.”
Human rights activist Walid Sketty condemned the act, noting it contravenes the Basic Education Act, which prohibits corporal punishment.
Walid also gave the government a 12-hour ultimatum to arrest the failed teacher, failing which he would conduct a citizen’s arrest and present the perpetrator to the police.
By Joseph Mambili
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