The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is investigating two teachers at Thiru Primary School in Laikipia West sub-county who allegedly tied three pupils to a tree for hours as punishment.

The decision to hand over the matter to the DCI was reached after senior officers from the police, the Teachers Service Commission, the children’s department and administration yesterday questioned teachers and workers at the school located about 10km from Nyahururu town.

Firing squad

The team, led by Nyahururu sub-county Deputy County Commissioner Moses Muroki, recorded statements from teachers and students including the headteacher Shelmith Thimba and deputy David Maina.

The pictures of the pupils tied to tree trunks as if they were facing a firing squad went viral on social media.

A teacher is said to have taken the pictures of the three pupils tied to a tree last Friday, posted them on a WhatsApp group before another teacher leaked them to social media on Tuesday.

“We have established that the three pupils were tied to a tree last Friday. It is wrong and we are not happy about it.

We feel sorry for the children. The issue has been taken over by the DCI for immediate investigations,” said Muroki.

Laikipia County Director of Children Services Ezekiel Mwanza and Irene Kandenge of TCS said the act was inhuman.

Mwanza said the department will closely follow the progress of the affected pupils.

“This will make sure the trauma and humiliation the children went through does not recur and affect them in future,” he said.

“Teachers have guidelines on how to punish children. TSC and ministry of education also have clear guidelines on how to counsel and guide children,” Mwanza added.

Kandenge, who is TCS director in charge of quality assurance and standards in the Rift Valley, said disciplinary action will be taken against any teacher who is found culpable.