Moigoiywet Primary School in Trans Nzoia County has been closed indefinitely after the decomposing body of a Grade 6 student was found in a classroom ceiling.
According to local reports, the student went missing in November last year, after completing her Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) examinations.
Pupils at the school, who resumed studies on Monday discovered the dead body after raising concerns about a foul smell that filled the classroom.
The Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) students then reported to their teacher who sought the intervention of the head teacher and several other school management members.
Douglas Amadi, the headteacher, confirmed the incident and added that he consulted the school’s sponsor and the Ministry of Education county office on the way forward in the case.
Amadi claimed that they ascertained that the child’s parents failed to report the matter to the police, despite being aware she was missing.
“Yes we have indeed closed the school until Monday next week following stakeholder’s consultations that resolved to close the school to pave the way for investigations,” he noted.
The school management also organised counselling sessions for the pupils, to help them recover from trauma before planning on reopening the institution.
Local police launched investigations into the matter to unravel the circumstances that led to the student's death. No suspect had been arrested by the time of publishing this article.
“Our officers have launched investigations and are piecing together vital information to determine what exactly led to the death of the pupil and we shall leave no stone unturned,” Kiminini Sub County Police Commander John Onditi stated.
Her body was taken to Kitale County Referral Hospital pending autopsy as the family was allowed to prepare for her burial.
The Department of Child Protection in Kenya advises guardians to report cases of missing children immediately, as the minimum waiting period of 24 hours does not apply in the case of minors.
"Missing children cases heavily rely on the time factor for the successful return of a child," the department states on its website.
