148 Students From Ikonge PAG Secondary Hospitalized On Suspected Poisoning

At least 148 learners from Ikonge PAG Girls Secondary School in Nyamira County have been admitted to hospital after developing severe stomach aches with the number expected to rise further

The learners were admitted at Ekerengo Hospital where they are receiving treatment. The learners are suspected to have fallen ill after consuming contaminated water.

According to the reports, Nyamira North Sub-County education director, Claire Oyula and other Ministry of Education officers are currently assessing the situation at the hospital, where the students are receiving treatment.

On April 3rd, the Sacred Hearst Mukumu Girls High School in Kakamega County was closed indefinitely following the deaths of three students owing to a suspected case of food and water poisoning.

More than 246 students were hospitalized at the Kakamega County General Hospital and St Elizabeth Mukumu Mission Hospital.

Related Content: Mukumu Girls Incident Should Be A Wakeup Call In Making Schools Safe

The students exhibited signs of vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness. Their samples were collected and sent to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) for analysis to arrive at the cause of the outbreak.

Education CS ordered Ezekiel Machogu ordered the destruction of maize to prevent another strategy. The school management counseled all tenders for food suppliers and selected three interim suppliers who have been pre-qualified to supply food to other schools.

Related Content: Beware Of Poisonous Food Donations From Kenyan Politicians

This is the third tragedy to hit the institution in less than three years. A similar incident happened in 2021 when over twenty girls fell ill under unclear circumstances out of which two died.

In May last 2022, over 28 girls also got sick and the authorities never disclosed the kind of illness. No reports concerning the state of affairs have ever been made public.

No disciplinary measures have ever been taken against the management. A month later that year, two students died due to an alleged outbreak of malaria at the school.

Related Content: Mukumu Girls Shut Down After The Death Of 3 Students, 500 Affected