Police in Murang'a are investigating the death of 15-year-old Juliano Kanyonyo, a KCPE candidate who was found dead in his room at home on Sunday. The case, published on 2018-11-21, has drawn concern because the boy had recently undergone circumcision and was still on bed rest.
Kanyonyo had scored 376 marks in the 2018 KCPE and finished third in his school. Family members said he was discovered after his mother called him and got no response, prompting relatives to check his room.
His uncle, Joseph Kamande, said they found him lying on his bed and noticed blood oozing from his mouth. Residents later raised fears that he may have been tortured during the initiation process.
County commander Farah Mohamed said the postmortem showed that Kanyonyo died from brain haemorrhage. He added that the findings also pointed to blunt force trauma to the head, which was consistent with assault.
Mohamed said police had begun searching for those behind the killing and would work with the family to trace the suspects. He also warned residents against harassing initiates in the name of tradition, saying such conduct could end in assault or death.
Those who knew Kanyonyo described him as disciplined and hardworking. Gatitu Primary School headteacher Robert Muchara said he had been a top performer, while relatives noted that he had started a rabbit-rearing project at home and spent his free time tending it.
The boy’s father died in 2012.
Murang'a family grieves top KCPE performer found dead days after circumcision
