Teachers Charged with Student Brutalization in Kisii County Released on Bail
On Thursday, three teachers were arraigned in court for allegedly beating and injuring a secondary school student in Kisii County. The teachers, identified as Douglas Mabiria, Abel Manyange, and Franklin Ongwae, were charged with causing grievous harm, as per section 234 of the Penal Code.
According to the 19-year-old victim, he was brutalized by five teachers and a school security guard at Nyabisia Secondary School in Nyamache division, Bobasi constituency on Monday. As a result of the severe beating, one of his testicles was ruptured and had to be removed at Hema hospital in Kisii town.
While three of the accused teachers appeared in court, the other two teachers and the security guard are still at large and have gone into hiding, as per the police. The prosecution, led by Mr. Ian Makotsi, applied to have the accused persons denied bail, citing concerns of possible witness interference.
Mr. Makotsi argued that releasing the accused on bail could have an adverse effect on the witnesses, who are students at the school, as the accused teachers have authority over them.
However, Mr. Tom Ongori, the defense lawyer for the suspects, opposed the application, stating that there was no evidence presented in court to substantiate the claim of possible witness interference.
“It will be very prejudicial against the accused person and against the right to presumed innocence for the accused persons not to be released on bail,” said Mr Ongori.
In his ruling, Ogembo Senior Principal Magistrate Paul Biwott noted that the allegations of witness interference were not supported by any affidavit from the investigating officer. He also mentioned that the children’s officer and the school administration have measures in place to protect the students.
Additionally, the magistrate considered that the accused teachers are likely to be interdicted, which would mitigate the risk of witness interference.
As a result, the magistrate disallowed the application to deny the accused teachers bail and granted them bail of Sh100,000 each, with a surety of a similar amount, or a cash bail of Sh20,000 each. The case is scheduled for mention on April 27, 2023.
Teachers Charged with Student Brutalization in Kisii County Released on Bail