This archive report was first published on 2 September 2021.
On September 2, 2021, a viral photo sparked outrage after it emerged that two teachers from Thiiru Primary School in Laikipia County had tied three pupils to a tree as punishment.
The teachers, who were arrested on the same day, were later freed on a police cash bail after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) sought more time to peruse the case files.
Appearing before Nyahururu Senior Resident Magistrate Susan Mwangi, the DPP asked for more time to compile the case and determine charges to prefer on the two teachers.
The magistrate ordered that the police cash bail be extended until Thursday next week when the school's headteacher and her deputy will be arraigned.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with the Teachers Service Commission terming the act as inhuman and saying it lowers the pupils' self-esteem and motivation.
A multi-agency task force directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to probe the incident, which has left many Kenyans questioning the methods used by teachers to discipline students.
