A 15-year-old girl from Kilifi County, Kenya, has died after sustaining fatal head injuries allegedly caused by her teacher during class punishment, sparking public outrage and renewed debate over corporal punishment in schools.
The deceased, identified as Anestine Dzidza Tunje, a Grade 8 pupil at Gongoni Primary School in Vipingo, was reportedly struck on the head by her teacher, Mr. Ian Tembo, on September 19, 2025, for failing to answer a question in class. She later succumbed to her injuries at Kilifi County Referral Hospital.
How the Tragedy Unfolded
Eyewitnesses claimed the teacher ordered students who could not respond to his questions during a lesson on irresponsible sexual behavior to kneel before allegedly hitting them on the head. Anestine, one of those punished, returned home complaining of headaches that worsened overnight.
Her father, Alex Tunje, said she was rushed to the hospital around 5 a.m. after her condition deteriorated but unfortunately passed away.
“The child was injured, possibly hit. We took her to the hospital early in the morning, but she did not make it,” he narrated.
Post-mortem findings confirmed that Anestine died from a cerebral hemorrhage caused by blunt force trauma, linking her death directly to the alleged assault.
Family’s Pain and Anger
Her mother, Amina Deri, expressed grief and frustration at the incident:
“Even if he is jailed, will it bring back my daughter? I had three children; now I have two. She was my helper, always cooking and doing chores after school. She was taken from us in the cruelest way.”
Her grandmother, Carolyne Kiringi, described the death as a heartbreaking tragedy, condemning the violence inflicted on the pupil.
Police and Government Response
After the incident, the teacher reportedly went into hiding. However, Kilifi South Assistant County Commissioner Yusuf Mohamed confirmed that the suspect has been traced and placed in police custody.
Despite this, the family has accused law enforcement of a slow response, noting that the case was initially filed at Kijipwa Police Station without immediate action.
Public Outrage and Calls for Reform
The case has sparked widespread outrage across Kilifi and beyond. Education advocates, human rights groups, and community members have condemned the incident, calling for stricter enforcement of the ban on corporal punishment in schools, which has remained a concern despite being outlawed in Kenya since 2001.
Kilifi County authorities have assured the public that investigations are ongoing and pledged to ensure justice for the late pupil.
