Kilifi County, Kenya – Human rights defenders have condemned the continued use of corporal punishment in schools, despite a government ban in place for over two decades, following the tragic death of a 15-year-old student in Kilifi.
The incident occurred at Gongoni Primary School in Kilifi South Sub-county, where Anestine Dzidza Tunje, a Grade 8 pupil, allegedly succumbed to injuries sustained after being subjected to corporal punishment by a teacher.
The prime suspect, Mr. Ian Tembo Mwavuna, was arrested and is currently in police custody as investigations continue. According to Kilifi South Sub-county police commander Hassan Kochale, detectives have sought additional time from the court to establish a direct link between the teacher’s actions and the student’s death.
“We actually want to establish the connection between the minor’s death and the teacher’s actions, so we’ve asked for more time to complete our investigations,” Kochale told reporters.
The incident has sparked national outrage and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of the ban on corporal punishment, first enacted in 2001 through a Kenya Gazette notice and the Children’s Act. The ban followed both internal and international pressure, particularly after Kenya was cited for institutionalised violence and child abuse at the 2000 Dakar Conference on Education for All.
Salma Hemed, Executive Director of the human rights NGO, She Rises, called the Kilifi case “a gross violation of child rights” and vowed to pursue justice for the late Dzidza and her grieving family.
“This is not just a crime, it’s a disheartening and unacceptable human rights violation,” said Hemed, addressing journalists. “Not only the Coast region, this incident has shocked the entire nation. This should not go unpunished.”
She warned that the Kilifi case might only be the tip of the iceberg, with many similar incidents likely going unreported due to fear or lack of accountability.
“Teaching is a calling,” Hemed added. “Aggressiveness among educators only serves to damage a noble profession and destroy trust in our learning institutions.”
Hemed also questioned the effectiveness of school oversight mechanisms, calling for urgent reforms: “Do we have quality assurance officers inspecting schools regularly? Are parents, teachers, and communities genuinely working together to ensure a safe and nurturing learning environment?”
She urged investigative agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ministry of Education, to ensure a transparent and thorough probe.
According to eyewitness accounts from fellow students, the teacher allegedly ordered the entire Grade 8 class to kneel before games time on September 19, 2025, and began caning them. Survivors say some were struck with bare hands, while others were hit on the head.
Dzidza reportedly went home that evening complaining of a severe headache. Her parents administered painkillers, but her condition worsened. She was rushed to Kilifi Sub-county Hospital, admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, and later succumbed to her injuries.
The tragedy has reignited national debate on the enforcement of child protection laws and accountability in schools. Child rights advocates say it’s time for government institutions to act decisively and ensure such violations do not recur.
