Learning was paralysed at Munanga Primary School in Malava on Wednesday after a body was found dumped in the compound.

The body, which was in a coffin, was found behind a classroom.

The pupils at the school on Wednesday morning discovered the casket behind their class eight classroom and ran screaming towards the school staff room.

Parents stormed the school, demanding an explanation from a local church whose faithful had held prayers in the school, allegedly to exorcise evil spirits.

Police came to the rescue of the head teacher and members of the church, whom the public was threatening to lynch.

Lynch the school head

Parent’s attempts to lynch the school head and two members of the church were thwarted by officers from Malava Police post, who intervened to rescue the three before moving the body to Webuye Sub-County Hospital Mortuary.

The people claimed pupils had been asked to contribute Sh10 to be given to members of the church to offer prayers to 'chase away stubborn evil spirits'.

Extortion

Parents claimed that the body could have been dumped by the preachers they claimed were fake to extort money from the school.

Josphat Shivoka, a parent, said the incident was shocking and asked the public to pray for the school.

“These cases have been happening, with pupils behaving as if they are possessed. It mainly occurs when they are about to sit the exams," said Mr Shivoka.

Ainea Watai, who donated land to the school, said the situation was worrying.

Two people were arrested in connection with the incident.