Chesamisi Boys High School has temporarily suspended classes for Form 4J students following the sudden death of 17-year-old candidate Eugene Oundo Wekesa, sparking allegations of negligence and delayed medical response.
Eugene died early Monday under undisclosed circumstances, prompting protests from students and demands for answers from parents. The family claims he began feeling unwell around 1 a.m., but his parents were only contacted nearly four hours later. “They should’ve acted faster,” a family member said. “The delay cost him his life.”
However, Principal Protus Ndombi disputed allegations that the school was not concerned about Eugene’s death. “The school is deeply saddened by Eugene’s passing and is working closely with authorities to establish the facts,” he said. “We are committed to supporting our students and staff during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with Eugene’s family, and we are doing everything possible to support them.”
Student Death Sparks Questions Over Emergency Response
Ndombi denied claims the school prioritised damage control, saying, “Our priority is the welfare of our students, and we are taking this opportunity to review our emergency response protocols to ensure such incidents are handled better in future.”
A school insider had earlier alleged the administration was unprepared for the incident and attempted to downplay it, but the principal said the school’s priority is student welfare. Students echoed safety concerns, with one saying, “If this can happen to Eugene, it can happen to any of us.”
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The school cited the emotional impact on students and assured support. “We remain committed to ensuring the candidates are supported emotionally and academically,” the school said, expressing condolences to Eugene’s family.
The family demands a thorough investigation into Eugene’s death, with one relative saying, “We want answers, and we want to know what happened to our son.” The incident has raised concerns about the school’s protocols and emergency response, with students and parents calling for accountability and transparency.
By Kimtai Cherongis
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