A family in Kiambu is mourning the heartbreaking loss of their 10-year-old son, Shawn Victor Were, a Grade 5 pupil at Red Hill Baraka School in Gachie.
His sudden death has raised serious concerns about school discipline and emergency response protocols.What began as a regular school day took a tragic turn when Shawn passed away in unclear circumstances.
Reports indicate that Shawn had remained in class while his peers attended a swimming lesson, as his parents had excused him from the activity.
Left in charge of maintaining order, he and five other pupils were allegedly punished by a teacher after a noise disturbance.
The punishment involved running outside, during which Shawn collapsed.
Instead of seeking immediate medical attention, school staff reportedly tried to revive him by feeding him rice and watermelon.By the time his distressed parents arrived, he was unresponsive and speaking incoherently.
They rushed him to a hospital, but despite doctorsâ efforts, he was pronounced dead.
A post-mortem examination suggested that Shawn suffered a convulsion, and the force-feeding attempt may have obstructed his airway.
Initially, the school denied giving him food, but later admissions revealed staff had tried to revive him in desperation.
The case is now under investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), as Shawnâs grieving family seeks answers and justice.The school administration has remained silent on the matter, further fuelling public outrage.
This incident has reignited concerns over student safety and whether schools are adequately prepared to handle medical emergencies.
Parents and education stakeholders are now calling for stricter regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
By Kenyans