Two teachers on the run after boy they beat for cheating in Physics exam dies

Chemase Secondary School in Tinderet, Nandi County. [Christopher Kipsang, Standard]

Two high school teachers are on the run after police in Nandi launched an investigation into the death of a form one student who was allegedly assaulted over exam cheating.

The investigating team is looking for the two teachers who are suspected of using corporal punishment on Kelvin Kiptanui at Chemase Secondary School in Tinderet on Friday.

According to the preliminary investigation report, the teachers, identified as Alex Kipkirui and Vincent Kiplimo, are accused of whipping the 20-year-old student in turns.

Muhamed Jire, Tindiret's OCPD, confirmed the incident was reported on Saturday, shortly after the student died from critical injuries while being treated at Nandi Hills County Hospital.

"When we arrived at the school, the administration gave us the names of the teachers who claimed to be in charge. The investigation is ongoing, and a postmortem will be performed to determine the cause of death for the student," he said.

Jire said a month after reporting to the school, the administration had no student records on underlying health conditions.

Kiptanui is said to have been cheating with another student during a Physics exam on Friday morning.

The two were subjected to canning as a form of punishment but the teachers are said to have "gone overboard".

Kiptanui's family says the teachers should be punished. Relatives said he developed health complications after being beaten.

Relative Kennedy Kiplimo said Kiptanui complained of chest and stomach pains and was taken to Chepsese health facility near the school.

"The school management informed the family that Kiptanui was being treated at the health centre, but his health worsened. He was then referred to Nandi Hills hospital for further treatment," Kiplimo said.

He added that Kiptanui was admitted at 6pm and he persistently vomited blood until Saturday at 3am when he died.

"He was supposed to undergo scanning the following morning but died before the test. We suspect he got internal injuries due to severe beating," Kiplimo said.

The postmortem is yet to be conducted. The body is lying at Nandi Hills hospital morgue.