Photo: Dickson Ndirangu/Facebook
Confusion and grief have engulfed Gilgil Hills School after a student, Faiz, was found dead in the school’s fish pond on Wednesday, sparking calls for a full investigation from his family.
The boy reportedly went missing from the school premises at 10 am and was discovered three hours later at 1 pm.
Dickson Ndirangu, Faiz’s uncle, described the ordeal as “deeply distressing” and criticized the school and local authorities for their handling of the incident.
“My nephew went missing in the Gilgil Hills schools area where he studies at 10 am and was found in the school fish pond at 1 pm. The authorities took him to the Gilgil Subcounty Hospital without notifying his parents. The principal and his class teacher are giving us different information. It’s still unclear how he ended up in the dirty water and drowned,” Ndirangu said.
The family has demanded clarity from the school’s management, insisting on access to CCTV footage and answers regarding the circumstances that led to Faiz’s death. They also called on Gilgil Subcounty Hospital to avoid conducting a post-mortem without the presence of family representatives.
Ndirangu said, “We request that Gilgil Subcounty Hospital refrain from conducting a post-mortem without family representatives present, as you are willing to do. The morgue was closed shortly after they received his body around 5 pm. Directorate of Criminal Investigations – DCI, kindly we need you on this.”
Further complicating the case, Ndirangu revealed that initial observations indicate that Faiz had no water in his mouth, nose, or internal organs, raising doubts about whether he drowned in the pond.
“He passed away elsewhere and was later transported to the location where he was discovered. Do you realize how long it takes for a body to float facedown in water?” he questioned, highlighting discrepancies that the family says the school and authorities need to address immediately.
The family also expressed frustration over conflicting accounts from the school principal and Faiz’s class teacher. Ndirangu urged school officials to respond responsibly, warning against irrational behavior.
“GilGil Hills School, you need to respond to our inquiries as we seek justice for my nephew, Faiz. Principal, please don’t act irrationally; we expect you to explain what happened to our child,” he said.
Amid their grief, the family is making arrangements to bury Faiz according to Islamic traditions. “Go well, my nephew Faiz. To my baby sister Jane, take heart,” Ndirangu said, offering a message of comfort to the boy’s mother.
The incident has raised serious questions about student safety, school accountability, and the handling of the body by local authorities.
The family’s call for an independent investigation by the DCI reflects growing concerns in the community about transparency and justice.