This archive report was first published on 12 November 2019.
On November 8, 2019, Stephen Olouch, a KCSE candidate from Joel Omino Secondary School in Kisumu, died at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) three days after being admitted to the ICU.
According to his mother, Philgona Adhiambo, Olouch was assaulted by school guards and his colleagues after he was sent home over unpaid school fees just two weeks before the exams.
Adhiambo claimed that her son was severely beaten, forcing him to flee and hide in a classroom, where he was later ordered out by a prefect due to the school's policy on students with fee arrears.
Olouch's elder brother, Samwel Omondi, stated that the angry prefect had shouted that Olouch's fees balance could feed the whole school for the remainder of the term, which led to Olouch attacking the prefect.
However, the principal of Joel Omino Secondary School, Richard Nyayal, denied claims that Olouch was assaulted, stating that he had been sent home for unpaid fees and that a roll of bhang was found in his bag, leading to his arrest.
Despite the principal's denial, an inquest file has been opened on the matter, and the County Director of Education, Isaak Atebe, has received a report about Olouch's health, although there is no information regarding the alleged assault.
