A 16-year-old Grade 10 student at Thika High School has died following an alleged altercation with a fellow student, in an incident that has sent shockwaves through the school community and prompted a police investigation.
The incident occurred on Friday night within the school compound, with preliminary reports indicating that the confrontation may have stemmed from a disagreement over who should lead prayers before students retired to their dormitories.
According to the school’s Chief Principal, Julius Muraya, the disagreement allegedly escalated into a physical fight during which the student sustained serious injuries.
The student’s family said they were contacted by the school’s deputy principal and informed that their son had been involved in a fight with another student.
They were asked to report to the school immediately.
However, upon arrival, the family was informed that the teenager had already died.
School officials said the student was initially attended to at the school dispensary before being rushed to Thika Level Five Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
His body was later moved to General Kago Mortuary pending a post-mortem examination.
The bereaved family has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the student’s death, saying they want justice for their son.
Principal Muraya confirmed that the incident took place before students retired to their dormitories on Friday night. He said members of staff responded after the teacher on duty was alerted to the altercation and immediately initiated emergency medical intervention before the student was transferred to hospital.
The principal expressed condolences to the family and said the school would fully cooperate with investigators to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
Meanwhile, Thika Sub-County Police Commander John Kimanthi confirmed that one student has been arrested in connection with the death.
He said detectives have launched investigations and will record statements from students, teachers and other witnesses as they seek to establish the sequence of events that led to the fatal confrontation.
Authorities are expected to rely on witness accounts, medical findings and other evidence to determine the exact cause of death and whether any criminal charges will be preferred.
The tragic incident has reignited concerns over student safety, conflict resolution and the need for enhanced guidance and counselling programmes in schools across the country as investigations continue.
