The untimely death of Shawn Victor Were, a 10-year-old Grade 5 pupil at Red Hill Baraka School in Gachie, Kiambu County has sent shockwaves through the community.

What began as an ordinary school day ended in tragedy due to a series of alarming failures by the school’s administration and teaching staff.

Now, his grieving family is demanding justice, calling for accountability and systemic changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.

A preventable death?

On the afternoon of February 25, 2025, Shawn’s mother received a distressing call from the school at 2:48 pm, informing her that her son was unwell and speaking incoherently.

Alarmed, she immediately contacted the school’s director, questioning why her son had not been taken to the hospital. The response was shocking: there was no available transport.

Fearing the worst, she and Shawn’s father rushed to the school, accompanied by a neighbor. What they found upon arrival was deeply disturbing, Shawn lay motionless on a mattress, surrounded by teachers who offered no clear explanation for his condition.

Without hesitation, the family rushed him to Life-Care Hospital in Kikuyu, where doctors attempted to resuscitate him. However, their efforts were hindered by faulty oxygen equipment, and after multiple unsuccessful attempts, they determined that Shawn was no longer breathing.

After attempting to use defibrillators complication arose when he began vomiting undigested food, rice and watermelon which had blocked his airway.

This critical detail would later expose a shocking lapse in judgment by the school’s staff.

What really happened?

As Shawn’s devastated family sought answers, a disturbing sequence of events began to emerge.

According to his twin sister, Vicky, who was in the same class, Shawn had been subjected to an unjust punishment and medical negligence that led to his tragic death.

That day, students were scheduled for swimming lessons. However, Shawn’s parents had opted out as their younger daughter had the flu. As a result, Shawn and a few other students remained in class.

The teacher assigned Shawn to monitor classroom noise in his absence. Despite keeping a record of noisy students, Shawn was wrongly accused of being a noise maker when the teacher returned.

As punishment, Mr. Austin, the teacher, forced him and five other boys to run cross-country.
Despite pleading his innocence, Shawn was compelled to run. It was during this forced exercise that he collapsed and began convulsing.

His classmates witnessed him foaming at the mouth as he convulsed on the ground. Rather than seeking urgent medical care, teachers carried him back to the school instead of calling an ambulance.

After finding out about the watermelon and rice, Shawn’s mother reportedly asked the school but the teacher initially denied it. However, one teacher later admitted to feeding Shawn watermelon in an attempt to revive him.

Medical experts have since confirmed that feeding a convulsing child can cause choking, which may have led to his airway becoming blocked.

By the time Shawn’s parents arrived, his oxygen levels were dangerously low, and his condition had deteriorated beyond help.

Shawn’s death raises serious questions about the competence and responsibility of school administrators in handling medical emergencies.

A national wake-up call

This is not just about one child, it is about the safety and well-being of all students. Shawn’s case highlights the urgent need for:

-Mandatory first aid training for all teachers.
-Strict enforcement of student safety protocols by the Ministry of Education.
-Emergency medical facilities or partnerships between schools and local hospitals to ensure immediate care when needed.