A 15-year-old Grade 8 pupil at Gongoni Primary School in Vipingo, Kilifi County, Kenya, Anestine Dzidza Tunje, has succumbed to injuries allegedly inflicted by her teacher during school hours.

 

 

The teacher, identified as Mr Ian Tembo allegedly struck the heads of the pupils on September 19, 2025, for failing to respond to questions, injuring Anestine, who d!ed days later in hospital.

 

 

The incident has reignited concerns over corporal punishment and school safety in the region.

 

 

According to post-mortem findings, Anestine d!ed from a cerebral hemorrhage caused by blunt force trauma to the head.

 

 

Her family believes her fatal injuries resulted from physical punishment administered at the hands of her teacher, who has since disappeared from the school premises.

 

 

Her father, Alex Tunje, recounted that his daughter began experiencing severe headaches shortly after the alleged incident.

 

 

She was rushed to Kilifi County Referral Hospital early the following morning but tragically passed away while receiving treatment.

 

“The child was injured, possibly hit. We took her to the hospital around 5 a.m. Unfortunately, she did not make it,” Tunje said.

 

 

Classmates and witnesses reportedly recounted that Anestine was struck after failing to respond to a question during a class lesson on irresponsible s3xual behavior.

 

 

It was alleged that students who could not answer were asked to kneel and were subsequently hit on the head by the teacher.

 

 

Anestine, who was among those asked to kneel, sustained the injury during this punishment.

 

 

Her grandmother, Carolyne Kiringi, expressed heartbreak over the incident and criticized the teacher’s actions.

 

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy. No child should suffer such violence at school,” she lamented.

 

 

Following the injury, Anestine returned home and complained of a severe headache. Despite her condition, she insisted on attending school the next day, citing upcoming exams.

 

 

Her father recommended medical attention, but she chose to take painkillers instead, fearing she might miss her exams.

 

 

Over the next few days, her condition worsened, with intermittent fevers, prompting her to be taken to a health facility. She was later transferred to Kikifi County Referral Hospital, where she died.

 

 

An autopsy report confirmed that her death was due to a blood clot resulting from cerebral hemorrhage linked to blunt force trauma.

 

 

Meanwhile, the teacher suspected to be responsible has gone into hiding, though Kilifi South Assistant County Commissioner Yusuf Mohamed confirmed that law enforcement authorities have placed the educator in police custody.

 

 

The family has expressed frustration over what they perceive as a slow response by police, with reports indicating the case was filed at Kijipwa Police Station.

 

“Even if he is jailed, will it bring back my daughter? I had three children; now I have two,” lamented Anestine’s mother, Amina Deri. “She was my helper, always coming home from school to do chores and cook dinner. She was taken from us in the cruelest way.”

 

 

The incident has sparked widespread outrage, prompting calls for urgent investigation and accountability.

 

 

Advocates and community members are condemning the use of corporal punishment in schools and urging authorities to enforce stricter measures to protect students.

 

 

Kilifi County authorities have assured the public that investigations are ongoing, and they are committed to ensuring justice for Anestine.