Kilifi teacher arrested after pupil dies from alleged corporal punishment
According to police reports, the teacher, Ian Tembo, instructed Grade 8 pupils to kneel before punishing them. Some were caned while others were hit on the head.
A teacher in Kilifi County has been arrested after a 15-year-old pupil died days after she was allegedly assaulted during corporal punishment at Gongoni Primary School in Kilifi South.
The incident is said to have occurred on Friday, September 19, 2025, during the final lesson before games.
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According to police reports, the teacher, Ian Tembo, instructed Grade 8 pupils to kneel before punishing them. Some were caned while others were hit on the head.
Among those punished was Anestine Dzidza Tunje. She went home after school but began complaining of severe headaches the following day.
Her condition worsened over the weekend, and she was rushed to Kilifi County Hospital for treatment.
Despite efforts by doctors, she died on September 25, 2025.
The girl’s family reported the matter to authorities two days after her death, leading to investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Tembo was summoned by police on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, and later taken into custody at Mtwapa Police Station.
Investigators said they intend to obtain further court orders to keep him in custody as they continue their probe.
Kilifi South Sub-county Police Commander Hassan Kochale confirmed the arrest and said detectives are working to piece together evidence linking the alleged assault to the pupil’s death.
“The suspect is in custody, and we shall be seeking more time from the court to complete our investigations before the matter proceeds to trial,” Kochale stated.
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