Grief engulfed the Kajiunduthi Secondary School fraternity in Muthambi ward in Maara constituency, Tharaka Nithi County following the drowning of a student in Maara River.
The school went on rampage on Monday night forcing the school administration to call the police to contain the situation.
Police responded and fired in the air forcing the students to scamper for safety towards the river.
The student might have then plunged into the river and was unable to swim across thus being drowned.
The body was discovered floating in the river Kiriani shopping center and was retrieved by the police officers the following day and taken to Chuka general hospital mortuary for postmortem analysis.
Geoffrey Kiragu a parent at the school said they did not get any information about the strike from the school administration despite police being called to contain the situation.
“I was just called by another parent who has a child at the school.
I went and picked up my grandchild and was told to take him back to school by the administration.
Later we got the news that one of the schoolboys had died in the river.
The administration should have amicably resolved the issues affecting students,” Kiragu said.
Another parent at the school who sought anonymity said he was called by his son when a student confronted the deputy Principal at about 9:30 pm after the evening preps.
“The students said the school administration was being extra strict.
Students jumped the school fence and ran towards the river after police were called to the scene.
The police allegedly fired what is yet to be established if it was a bullet or a teargas canister,” he said.
The students were ordered to vacate the school immediately.
Maara Police boss John Ole Manei referred Journalist to Police County Commander over the matter.
Tharaka Nithi County Director of Education Bridget Wambua said she could not issue any statement to the media as tension was building around the school.
The parent condemned the police for using excessive force.
By John Majau
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