Kilifi County is reeling in grief following the untimely death of a 15-year-old schoolgirl. The death is alleged to have happened at the hands of late girl’s teacher.
The news has now reignited public debate over the persistence of corporal punishment in Kenyan classrooms despite being outlawed more than two decades ago.
The girl, identified as Ernestine Tunje, a Grade Eight candidate at Gongoni Primary School in Vipingo, reportedly suffered severe head injuries after what family members described as “disciplinary punishment.” A post-mortem examination revealed that she died of internal bleeding caused by blunt force trauma.
Her father, Alex Tunje, recalled that his daughter began complaining of a splitting headache shortly after returning from school. She was rushed to Kilifi County Referral Hospital, but she would later be pronounced dead before doctors could stabilize her.
“My child was in pain and couldn’t stop holding her head. The doctors later told us she did not make it. I am broken,” he said.
While the family mourns, Anestine’s death has thrown a spotlight on the illegal but lingering culture of corporal punishment in schools. Kenya outlawed caning and physical discipline in 2001, more than two decades ago, but many parents and child rights groups say enforcement has remained weak, with some teachers still resorting to beatings in defiance of the law.
Her grandmother, Carolyne Kiringi, who is also a teacher, condemned the violence, saying it betrayed the ethics of teaching profession.
“Teachers are entrusted with children. We are trained to guide, not harm. If you’re angry, the rule is simple: stay out of class until you calm down. What happened to my granddaughter is unforgivable,” she said.
Child rights activists argue that Anestine’s case is not isolated. Walid Sketty, a Coast-based human rights advocate, said the tragedy is a painful reminder of systemic failures in child protection.
“This is not just about one teacher; it’s about an entrenched culture. Every few months, we hear similar cases. The law is clear, but enforcement part is dismal. A teacher should never lay hands on a child,” he said, calling for swift prosecution.
Authorities confirmed that investigations are underway. Kilifi North Deputy County Commissioner Samuel Mutisya reiterated that corporal punishment remains illegal under both the Children’s Act and the Basic Education Act.
“Teachers must use appropriate disciplinary measures — counseling, guidance, and involving parents. No child should lose their life just because they did a mistake in school,” he said.
Education experts say the tragedy comes at a critical time, as learners prepare for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE). Stress levels are already high, and punitive discipline, they warn, could only worsen pressure on students.
For the Tunje family, however, the academic calendar has been overshadowed by grief. Relatives say Ernestine was a bright and ambitious girl who dreamed of becoming a nurse.
“She always talked about helping the sick. Now her own life has been cut short in a place that was supposed to shape her future,” said her uncle, Jimmy Thoya.
The family, backed by rights groups, is demanding the arrest of the teacher alleged to have assaulted the teenager. As the case unfolds, Arnestine’s death has become more than a private tragedy — it is a rallying point in the ongoing fight to protect Kenyan children from violence in schools.
