A family in Kilifi is demanding justice after their 15-year-old daughter, Anestine Tunje, a Grade 8 pupil at Gongoni Primary School in Vipingo, died from severe head injuries allegedly inflicted by her teacher.
A post-mortem revealed that Anestine succumbed to internal bleeding caused by multiple blows to the head with a blunt object. Her father, Alex Tunje, recalled her final hours, saying: “Ndio ananiambia mtoto wako aliumia aligongwa ama vipi…tukamchukua tukampeleka hospitali saa kumi na moja asubuhi. Madaktari wakakuja wakaniambia mtoto wako ameshindwa.”
What Did the Post-Mortem Reveal?
The autopsy showed that blood clots in the brain were the direct cause of her death. Her grandmother, Carolyne Kiringi, expressed her grief and disbelief, stating: “Hakika hiyo kitu imeniuma. Mimi kama mwalimu siwezi punish mtoto namna hiyo, siwezi kabisa kabisa, maana mimi ni mzazi. Tunafundishwa kwamba kama uko na hasira zako nyumbani usiwahi kuingia darasani, afadhali ukae staff room.”
Family member Jimmy Thoya added: “Tumesikitika kwa sababu tunashindwa ni jinsi gani mwalimu anaweza kuadhibu mtoto kwa kumgonga kichwa. Hiyo ndiyo ripoti ya post-mortem.”
How Are Authorities Responding?
Human rights groups in the Coast region have joined the grieving family, demanding accountability and the immediate arrest of the teacher accused of assaulting the minor. Activist Walid Sketty condemned the delay, saying: “Ni ghadhabu gani ambayo mwalimu alikuwa nayo dhidi ya mwanafunzi mpaka ampatie kichapo cha mbwa? Mpaka sasa mwalimu hajashikwa wala kuwekwa korokoroni. Ni kughadhabisha eti polisi wanasubiria post-mortem kwanza.”
Kilifi North Deputy County Commissioner Samuel Mutisya confirmed that investigations are ongoing and emphasized the law’s stance against corporal punishment: “Katika kudiscipline mtoto, sheria ni nyingi ambazo zimekataa. Kuna Children Act na pia Basic Education Act. Kama mtoto amekosea, kuna adhabu hizo ndio tunasisitiza. Hata uite mzazi wake mtoto azungumziwe, lakini sio kupiga mtoto.”
The family is now left mourning the tragic and untimely loss of Anestine as calls for justice continue to grow louder across Kilifi and beyond.
By Lucky Anyanje
