Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) student in Lodwar on Thursday, November 21 night.
The student died under unclear circumstances, which has prompted investigations into the death.
While the investigations are ongoing, the parents of the boy are up in arms after being informed of the death of the kin by a wellwisher instead of the school management.
The parents found out about their son's death through a passerby who came to inform them that their son was in the mortuary.
According to his classmates from Turkana Talent High, Lodwar, the boy who we have opted not to name, looked worried on Thursday evening after sitting for his exams. The classmates say he had distanced himself from the others, choosing isolation.
A friend of the deceased is said to have found him unconscious in an isolated place in the school compound. According to witnesses, the friend noticed the deceased had taken poison. He then rushed to the neighbouring dormitories, seeking milk to aid the deceased.
The students are said to have then administered first aid to him while a teacher called an ambulance. On arrival, the medics found him foaming in the mouth.
"I gave him the milk, while the madam called the ambulance. He was so weak, I was holding him in my hands," the student narrated.
The boy is said to have died on his way to the hospital. The body was moved to Lodwar County and Referral Hospital morgue awaiting an autopsy report.
Turkana Central Police Commander Evans Ombui has revealed that officers of the DCI have already begun the investigation.
According to Ombui, they did not inform the parents because the case was already under investigation.
"I did not refuse to inform the parents, I was blocked by the investigating team. They told me that they will inform the family through the chief," he said.
'Jontez' as he was popularly known to his classmates, has added to the statistic of the numerous deaths that were witnessed during the 2024 KCSE exams that are concluding on Friday, November 22.
Meru, Kakamega, Murang'a, and other counties have reported KCSE fatalities. The circumstances surrounding the majority of these deaths are unknown.
