A 14-year-old Grade Nine student was found brutally murdered at Narok Adventist Primary and Junior Secondary School, leading to the institution’s indefinite closure as police investigate the chilling incident. The boy’s body, discovered in a dormitory with a deep neck wound, has sparked outrage among parents and residents, raising urgent questions about school safety.
The student was found bleeding profusely in his dormitory on Saturday night, August 30, 2025, by fellow pupils who raised the alarm. According to Narok Central Sub-County Police Commander John Momanyi, the boy was rushed to Narok County Referral Hospital but succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
“We received information of a pupil from Narok SDA Primary School found with injuries,” Momanyi said, confirming that a suspect, identified as the school’s night guard, Julius Swesi, has been arrested and is assisting with the investigation.
Preliminary findings revealed blood trails outside the dormitory, in the boys’ toilet, and near a clothesline, suggesting a struggle prior to the fatal attack.
“The matter is still under investigation, and we believe the law will take its course,” Momanyi added, noting that the suspect will soon be arraigned in court.
The student’s body has been moved to the hospital’s mortuary for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
The incident has shaken the Narok community, with distraught parents storming the school on Monday, September 1, accusing the administration of failing to communicate promptly. Some residents attempted to set a dormitory ablaze in protest but were restrained by police intervention.
Beatrice Isaiah, a parent at the school, demanded clarity on the roles of the matron, caretaker, and security guards during the incident. “We need answers about what happened and why no one noticed,” she said.
Narok County Education Director Apollo Apuko confirmed the school’s closure, stating, “We are closing the institution today, and we do not want to see any students here. We leave the matter to the DCI [Directorate of Criminal Investigations].”
He urged parents to remain calm as authorities work to uncover the motive and circumstances behind the killing.
John Gatua, a Narok County Executive Committee member, described the tragedy as unprecedented.
“This school is in my neighborhood, and we are still in utter shock. We did not hear any signs of struggle that night,” he said, noting that early assessments suggest the murder occurred in the early morning hours.
The killing has reignited concerns about the safety of students in Kenyan boarding schools, particularly in light of recent incidents. In a separate case reported on September 2, a 10-year-old Grade Four pupil was found dead in a toilet at another Seventh Day Adventist school in Narok, with the school’s security guard arrested after being found with blood-stained clothes.
These incidents have prompted calls for stricter safety audits nationwide, with the Ministry of Education recently ordering inspections to address bullying and other risks following unrelated student deaths.
The broader implications of this incident may prompt the Kenyan government to revisit safety regulations for boarding schools, as public pressure mounts for accountability and reform. For now, the focus remains on delivering justice for the young victim and ensuring such a loss does not recur.
