Angry Nairobi dad sues school after teacher pinches grade 5 daughter during Swahili lesson

A concerned parent has sued St. Bhakita School, claiming a teacher inflicted physical and emotional harm on his daughter by violently pulling her ear during a lesson.

The father, identified in court documents as GO, filed the case at the High Court against the school’s board of directors, Principal James Ongweno, and teacher Fred Manyasa.

He alleges the teacher’s conduct was cruel and violated his daughter’s constitutional rights.

Through lawyer Wycliffe Nyabuto, GO told Justice Stella Mutuku that the incident occurred on March 19, 2025, during a Kiswahili lesson.

“The ferocity with which the fourth defendant [Manyasa] attacked the minor was deliberate, premeditated and solely intended to inflict unbearable pain and torture on the minor.

The plaintiff avers that the minor was and is visibly traumatised, scared, withdrawn, and resigned and cries uncontrollably any time someone mentions to her anything to do with school,” claimed Nyabuto.

GO says his daughter, a Grade Five pupil, suffered injuries that required medical treatment. He spent Sh18,618 on hospital bills and says doctors recommended continued review. “I reported the matter at Riechfield Police Station. My daughter has not been the same since,” he said.

The father argues the teacher and school failed in their duty of care to create a safe, child-friendly learning environment.

“The defendants were under obligation to treat the minor in a humane way and to protect her from inhuman and degrading treatment,” said Nyabuto.

GO is asking the court to declare that the defendants violated the minor’s rights and to award special and general damages. He also wants the teacher barred from teaching anywhere in Kenya.

“The environment was not conducive. They broke my daughter’s trust. A teacher should never be the source of pain,” said GO. “She was left broken by the very system that should protect her,” he added.

The parent also wants the school compelled to pay future medical expenses arising from the injury.

Justice Mutuku directed that the documents be served to the school, the board, the principal, and the teacher, who are expected to respond before the next court date.

“The court takes children’s rights seriously. Let the parties be served promptly,” said Justice Mutuku.

The case is set to be mentioned on June 17, 2025.