The family of 13-year-old Peace Nasimiyu, a Grade Six pupil at Prime Junior Academy in Kajiado, is seeking justice after she was hit by a stray bullet while attending a mathematics lesson.
The tragic incident, which took place on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, has left the young girl and her family devastated, as the bullet pierced through her right hand, jeopardizing her ability to sit for her upcoming national exams.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has since launched an investigation into the shooting, which occurred amid chaos from nearby protests involving students from Multimedia University. The school where Nasimiyu was injured is located opposite Ongata Rongai police station, raising concerns about the origin of the bullet.
The moment of the shooting was harrowing for both the students and the teachers. Nasimiyu, who was actively participating in class, had raised her hand to answer a question when the bullet struck her. She recounted the terrifying incident, saying
“I don’t know where it came from, but it came and pierced through my hand, passed through, and hit the desk I was sitting at. Then it struck a spot and fell to the ground.”
The teacher present during the incident described the chaos that ensued as the sound of the gunshot sent the classroom into panic.
"We all rushed towards the left side of the class, and the child was screaming very loudly. The other kids were also in panic mode, and I didn’t know what to do. But before then, we collected something which looked like a bullet," she narrated.
Nasimiyu's biggest concern is the impact the injury will have on her education, especially her ability to sit for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) exams, which are just around the corner.
"I feel bad because I am supposed to sit for my KPSEA exam, and I can’t write because I’m in pain," she expressed.
Her mother shared the same concerns, emphasizing the importance of the exams for her daughter’s future. "It is painful because my child is a candidate who is supposed to take the exam, but they will not be able to do so because their right hand is injured. How will she take the exam?" she lamented.
As the investigation progresses, IPOA is focusing on identifying the origin of the bullet, with a recovered slug playing a crucial role in determining who fired the shot. The incident, which took place near a police station, has raised questions about police conduct during the chaotic protests that rocked the area.
In the wake of the shooting, Nakuru-based police officer Sammy Ondimu issued a warning to his fellow officers, urging them to exercise caution when handling suspects and avoid the excessive use of force. His call for restraint came after another disturbing incident involving the mistreatment of a university student during a protest.
The case of Peace Nasimiyu has stirred public outrage, with many calling for accountability and justice for the young girl, whose academic future now hangs in the balance.
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