The family of 16-year-old Samuel Munyao, a Grade 10 student at Ngelani Secondary School in Machakos County, addressing the Media following his tragic death after he was allegedly run over by a school water boozer under unclear circumstances. Photo by Andrew Mbuva. 
By Andrew Mbuva
The family of 16-year-old Samuel Munyao, a Grade 10 student at Ngelani Secondary School in Machakos County, is demanding justice following his tragic death after he was allegedly run over by a school water boozer under unclear circumstances.
Samuel, described by his family as a total orphan who depended entirely on relatives for his education and upkeep, died after an incident that reportedly occurred within the school compound.
Speaking to the press, his uncle, Charles Matu Makau, recounted the painful sequence of events that began with a distressing phone call.
“When I got the call, I was told that the child was in Machakos Level 5 Hospital,” he said. “I immediately informed his grandfather and his brother, and we travelled to Machakos by matatu.”
However, while on their way, the family received another call instructing them not to proceed to the hospital but instead to go to the school.
“When we arrived at Ngelani High School, we found that the principal had not yet arrived. He had called us and told us to wait,” Makau explained. “About ten minutes later, the principal came with two Grade 10 students, two teachers and a police officer from Machakos.”
Makau said the principal informed them that Samuel had been hit by a water boozer within the school compound — revelations that left the family in shock.
“We were told that the boys had been called by the teacher on duty to help push the water boozer. It was during that process that Samuel slipped and was run over,” he said. “We were also told he had been pushed by two fellow Grade 10 students.”
The family now questions why students were allegedly instructed to help push a heavy vehicle in the first place.
“We took the child to school to study, not to push or drive a water truck,” Makau said. “The school management says they do not understand how the child died. The principal says he was not in school. The deputy also says he was not in school when the incident happened. So who was in charge?”
Samuel’s grandmother, Joyce Mwikali Makau from Sengani in Tala, fought back tears as she described receiving the devastating news.
“We have lived with this child for a long time since his mother passed away. He was a total orphan,” she said. “The principal called us and told us the boy was sick and that we should go to Machakos Level 5.”
But upon arrival, the family says they were met with a different reality.
“When we reached the hospital, the principal told us the boy had passed away. I asked where he was, and they told me he was at the Machakos Level 5 mortuary,” she said. “I was shocked.”
The grieving grandmother expressed bitterness over the circumstances surrounding her grandson’s death.
“We took the child to school to study, not to do the work of driving a water truck,” she said. “We are very, very bitter. What we want is the truth. The boy is dead.”
Samuel was the last born in a family of six children — two boys and three girls — all of whom are being supported by relatives following the death of their parents.
The family is now calling on the government and relevant authorities to conduct thorough investigations into the incident and ensure accountability.
“We are asking the government to help us get justice for this child,” Makau said. “We have struggled to educate these children after losing their parents. The least we deserve is the truth.”
Police are said to have launched investigations into the incident as the community awaits answers over the circumstances that led to the tragic loss of a young life within the confines of a learning institution.
