This archive report was first published on 9 July 2019.
On July 9, 2019, a disturbing conversation between parents of students at Nairobi School was leaked, revealing allegations of student assault by prefects.
A 15-year-old form two student from Nairobi School is set to undergo brain surgery after it was confirmed that he has fluid buildup in the brain, a condition known as obstructive hydrocephalus caused by an illness or an injury that affects the brain.
The student's mother revealed that her son's condition is so severe that he has started peeing on his bed, something he had never done before. She also stated that her son has to wear diapers, cannot even recognize his siblings, and is always in a daze.
According to the mother, 'I Am looking at our son now and I can’t believe Nairobi school has wasted him so much. We have to supervise him even as he eats and brushes his teeth. I Went to pick him and found he had lost most of his uniform looking dirty and unkempt. He is even back to peeing in bed something he had never done. He has gone mute and can’t even name the prefects who beat him.'
She added, 'I feel so tired and I don’t have energy to fight right now. Let us first address the health issues… Please pray for him.'
Speaking to Citizen TV, the student's mother sadly revealed that her son has to wear diapers, he cannot even recognize his siblings, and that he is always in a daze. She also stated that her son 'is taking too long to respond to his name when called out.'
His classmates admitted that his behavior had changed in the past 1 week plus, stating that 'He would go to the wrong class and he would not be in full school uniform.'
On learning that he would be transferred, the student confessed that the prefects beat him for not having a school tie. He went on to narrate that he had been assaulted since he was in form one, adding that at some point a school mate had had his arm fractured by prefects.
Nairobi School has however denied the allegations, claiming that the student had been treated with antibiotics at the school’s health facility. They stated that he was withdrawn and had shown signs of weakness, and it was only after he failed to respond to antibiotics that his parents were called to pick him up.
