Plight of pupils in public schools: Sorrow as boy, 6, succumb to accident over 60 shillings exam fee in Kisii

Sorrow engulf at Nyamare location Kitutu Chache South as a
partial orphan grade two pupil was killed in a road accident after he was sent
home to fetch Ksh. 60 for examination

A grade two pupil at Nyamare Primary school, Kisii South Sub
County was today morning killed in a road accident while crossing the road on
his way to school.

It’s alleged that the pupil was sent home by the school head
teacher to fetch examination fees Ksh.60 scheduled tomorrow.

According to the police report the six-year-old boy was hit
by a Toyota probox at around 10:00am along Suneka- Asumbi Highway while
crossing the road.

An eye witness said she had bhang after the young boy was
hit and on arrival she found him with head injuries lying helplessly on the
road side.

“We saw a number of pupils getting out of the school
compound and a few meters from the school, the young boy was hit as he was
crossing the road,” Said Florence Kemunto.

According to Mary Nyaboke a parent, the children are
regularly sent home to fetch arrears at an interval of two to three times a
week.

“It’s sad we have lost a child, whose father died
recently and the sickly mum who is taking care of her two children, would not
afford the Ksh. 60 and the minor was
getting back to school before he met his death, “Said Nyaboke.

Musa Nyandusi eye witness stated the school head teacher has
a tendency of sending pupils to go home to fetch petty things e.g water, socks
and many more things.

“As parents we are tired, we ask minister of education Prof
George Magoha to move into speed and transfer the head teacher, “he said.

He said that the minor is a partial orphan and he comes from
a vulnerable family.

A pupil at Nyamare primary said a number of them who had not
cleared exam fees were sent home to clear the arrears before sitting for their
examinations.

Kenya Union of Teachers Kisii South chairperson Victor
Ombasa said they have launched investigations and asked the parents to remain
calm.

“We ask the Kenya Rural Roads Authority to erect slow
bumps and road signs near this school because this is a hot spot area,
“Said Ombasa.

Confirming the incident Kisii South OCPD Charles Machinji
said they have already launched investigation as the accused driver went on
large.

Mr Machinji urged the parents and the community to remain
calm.

The OCPD asked the accused driver of the pro box to avail
himself to the police station.

The body of the deceased was taken to Kisii teaching and
referral hospital mortuary waiting for autopsy.