NAIROBI, Kenya — A dramatic and emotional moment played out in a Nairobi court on Tuesday after a mother publicly confronted her son, accusing him of chronic alcoholism and refusing to reform, during proceedings into the death of a Daystar University student.
The young man — one of seven individuals initially treated as suspects — was among those released last week after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) directed that the matter proceed by way of a public inquest rather than murder charges.
The DPP said available evidence did not meet the threshold for criminal prosecution, recommending that a coroner-led inquiry determine the circumstances that led to the student’s death.
During Tuesday’s session, the mother, visibly distressed, told the court that her son had long battled alcoholism, repeatedly ignoring family interventions aimed at steering him toward rehabilitation.
The confrontation, which briefly halted proceedings, highlighted the personal struggles playing out behind the high-profile case.
“We have tried everything. He has refused to change,” she said, wiping away tears as court officials attempted to calm her. “He drinks too much, and he doesn’t listen. Go back home and get help — you can’t keep living like this.” Her statement drew murmurs across the courtroom as the son remained silent, his face lowered.
The emotional exchange came as the court continued to receive submissions regarding the events leading up to the student’s death — a case that has drawn widespread public attention and renewed scrutiny over student safety, mental health, and accountability within university communities.
Investigators earlier indicated that the deceased student was last seen in the company of several peers before an incident that resulted in fatal injuries. However, conflicting witness accounts and unclear timelines prompted the DPP to order a public inquest, saying only a transparent fact-finding process could resolve the uncertainties.
The mother’s unexpected address to the court highlighted a secondary but deeply human dimension — the toll of substance abuse among young people and its intersection with campus life.
The Ministry of Health and NACADA have previously warned of rising alcohol dependency among university-age youth, urging families and institutions to work together to promote early intervention and behavioural support.
As the inquiry continues, the Magistrate’s Court is expected to call additional witnesses, including forensic experts, security personnel, and fellow students present on the night of the incident.
The inquest will ultimately determine whether any party bears criminal responsibility or whether the death resulted from circumstances outside the threshold of culpable homicide.
For now, the focus remains on establishing truth — while one family, and a watching public, confront the painful realities surrounding a young life lost and several others changed forever.
