Government closes Mukumu Girls High School following two deaths
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Mukumu Girls High School closed indefinitely following two deaths after disease outbreak that affected 246 students
Mukumu Girls High School closed indefinitely following two deaths after disease outbreak that affected 246 students.
After two students died from what was thought to be food and water contamination on Monday, April 3, Mukumu Girls High School in Kakamega County was shut down indefinitely.
According to reports, 25 of the 246 pupils who were hospitalized in the previous week were still being treated at St. Elizabeth Mukumu Mission Hospital and Kakamega County Medical Hospital.
The students had shown symptoms of nausea, diarrhea, and lightheadedness.
Their samples were taken, and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) analyzed them in order to determine what was causing the outbreak.
Josphat Kaswira, the chairman of the board of management at Mukumu Girls, declared that following receipt of Kemri’s report, the institution would take corrective action.
He added that out of 2,108 students in the institution, 400 were yet to report to school after the half-term break.
The outbreak led to politicians calling for urgent measures to be taken to curb the cases from rapidly increasing.
“There are 20 new cases of students being admitted to hospital, presenting the same symptoms. This is a serious matter that must be addressed.”
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“It is sad that more than 200 girls are affected. This calls for the attention of all leaders in the county. I propose that the principal is assisted by the Ministry of Education in closing the school because the lives of students are in danger,” Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale stated during a tour of the school on Friday, March 31.
Shinyalu MP Frederick Ikana, however, countered Khalwale’s call to close the school, arguing that the move would delay the school calendar.
“There are procedures which must be followed before the school is closed. The mandate lies with the Ministry of Education. I appeal for calm and ask people to stop speculating about the situation. We wish those undergoing treatment a quick recovery,” he stated.
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