CJ Koome dismisses claims she supports corporal punishment in schools

The Supreme Court President had on Sunday warned parents who sue teachers and schools after their children have been expelled for breaking school rules.

Speaking at Loreto Limuru Girls High School, the CJ said that such cases will be dismissed and the parents will be responsible for the costs.

Although she also warned that anyone found guilty of child abuse will face a prison sentence of at least 20 years, her comments drew criticism from a section of Kenyans who interpreted them as pushing for corporal punishment.

In a follow-up statement on Monday, CJ Koome however clarified her sentiments, saying as a child rights defender she cannot advocate for the practice.

“I cannot advocate for corporal punishment, I am a children’s rights defender. What I said is that every school has rules and regulations that are derived from the law because the law outlaws corporal punishment,” said Ms. Koome.

She stated that no school should have corporal punishment among its corrective measures because it is illegal. 

“There is no school that can have within its disciplinary procedures corporal punishment or anything that brings the dignity of the child down,” she said.

Added Koome: “Every school has disciplinary mechanisms put in place, and if you have followed the rules that are approved by the school authorities and Ministry of Education, then who can fault you as the teacher?”

“Nobody can be advocating for indiscipline in schools.”