A quiet school day in Migori County ended in unimaginable tragedy after a Grade 9 student was allegedly hacked to death by his classmate following a disagreement that reportedly began over learning materials.
The shocking incident occurred on July 22 and has left the Akonjo Junior Secondary School community in mourning.
Police have arrested a 17-year-old student accused of attacking his fellow Grade 9 learner with a panga as the victim walked home from school. The injured student was rushed to Migori Level Four Hospital but sadly succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.
Kamgundho Location Chief Samuel Onjiko confirmed that the suspect was arrested shortly after the incident and handed over to detectives at Uriri Police Station. He remains in custody as police prepare to arraign him in court on a murder charge.
According to preliminary investigations, the two students had reportedly clashed earlier in the day after the suspect accused the deceased of tampering with his school locker. Investigators are also looking into reports that the suspect did not return for afternoon lessons after lunch before the fatal attack allegedly took place later that evening.
The victim’s body has since been moved to the Migori Level Four Hospital mortuary, where a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted as detectives continue piecing together the events leading to the killing.
The incident has sparked fresh concern among parents, teachers and education stakeholders over the growing cases of violent conflicts among students and renewed calls for stronger guidance, counselling and conflict-resolution programmes in schools.
The tragedy comes barely two weeks after another student lost his life at Thika High School following a physical confrontation with a fellow learner over a disagreement reportedly linked to evening prayers, raising alarm over increasing cases of school-related violence in the country.
