The premature death of Mary Wambui, a Class 6 pupil has left the family, neighbours and friends with pain, grief and anger.
The pupil died at the Kenyatta National Hospital while receiving treatment for injuries that have left many uncertain questions and calls for justice.
“Alitoka asubui kama kawaida kuenda shule aliporudi jioni ndio aliniambia anaumwa na kichwa, kumfuatilia kwanini anaumwa na kichwa ndio aliniambia kuna mwalimu alimgonga,” her mother Elizabeth Wanjiku told Citizen TV on Thursday.
When Mary left home for Githiga Primary School on February 1, 2021, she was in good health until later that day, she was allegedly punished by a teacher who was on duty.
The pupil had gone to fetch water and wash her hands with her colleagues when the teacher purportedly arrived and hit her on the head as he was trying to disperse them.
“Msichana alikuwa ameenda kuchota maji, mwalimu akakuja akamchapa hapa ya utosi, sasa huyo msichana akawa mgonjwa na tulipoenda kumuona mwalimu akatuchapa na baba yake alipokuja mwalimu akasema hawakumchapa,” one of the pupils said.
Mr. Joseph Ndung’u, Mary’s uncle added: “Tunaambiwa alikuwa nje wakati normal classes zilikuwa zinaendelea akinawa mikono na mwalimu akaja akamgonga na fimbo kwa kichwa na tangu hiyo siku kichwa ikaanza kumuuma.”
Mary’s state worsened and was later admitted to the Kenyatta National Hospital. “Hata kabla daktari alimuona alizidiwa,” the mother grieved.
The uncle said: “Picha iliposomwa ilionekana damu ilikuwa inavuja kutoka pale aligongwa mpaka kwa brain.”
The school’s headteacher has pleaded with parents to be patient and not to take any course of action until probes are complete.
Meanwhile, detectives are yet to arrest the teacher connected to the incident.
