This archive report was first published on 8 January 2020.
On January 7, 2020, a tragic incident occurred in Mombasa, where a 14-year-old pupil, Rehema Kura, took her own life after being allegedly forced to repeat Class Six at Amani Primary School in Mikindani, Jomvu.
According to reports, Rehema's lifeless body was discovered dangling from the roof of their house in Kwa Ng'ombe area.
Her mother, Sada Nganda, recalled the events leading up to the tragedy, saying, 'I was at my business place when she came and said she was not feeling well. I asked her to go home and rest only for me to be told later that she had hanged herself.'
Rehema's elder sister, Kadzo Kura, who found the body, revealed that her sister had been complaining about being forced to repeat classes since she received her marks.
'She did not want to repeat. She had complained to me on several occasions since she got her marks. Our mother even promised her that she would be transferred to another school later on,' Kadzo said.
Investigations into the matter have been launched, with Jomvu Sub County Deputy Police Commander Jason Odhiambo confirming that Rehema committed suicide after being asked to repeat the class.
'The government is clear on this issue. No child should be forced to repeat a class. We are following this with the school,' Mr Odhiambo said.
