A ten-year-old pupil at a Nyeri school collapsed and died on Tuesday after being beaten by a teacher.

The teacher, parents at the school said, was disciplining the Standard Four pupil allegedly because she did not have a games kit.

Operations at the school, in Muhoyas Location, Tetu Division, came to a standstill in the afternoon when news of the pupil's death spread and grief-stricken pupils and teachers abandoned their classes.

The shocked parents, who visited the Nation Nyeri office, said the teacher descended on the girl in her classroom after another trainee teacher reported her.

They said the girl was caned repeatedly on her back using a wooden plank and on her hands and head.

She received more than 20 strokes of the cane on her hands, they said.

The other pupils watched in horror as the teacher ignored the girl's cries for mercy, the parents added.

The pupil was then ordered to go home, next to the school, and change into the games kit.

It was after she reported back to the school half-an-hour later that one of her teachers noticed she was bleeding through the nose.

The pupil then collapsed during the lesson, the parents said.

She was rushed to the Consolata Mission Hospital, Mathari, where she died later in the day undergoing treatment.

Enraged parents, who yesterday went to the school early in the morning, demanded the teacher's immediate sacking.

The girl's mother was said to be in shock.

When the Nation visited the school yesterday, teachers who had gathered near the administration block scattered in panic.

The deputy headmaster, Mr J. Ndung'u, confirmed the pupil had died, but did not release more details.

A police source also confirmed that the pupil died, but declined to divulge further information regarding the death.

He however said it was only after a post-mortem examination was conducted that the police would be able to take action.

The girl's fellow pupils, who witnessed the beating, would record statements, the police source said.

The District Education Officer, Mr Daniel Kariuki was unavailable for comment.