Buyers Boys' High School closed over cholera scare

Butere Boys' High School in Kakamega County has been closed indefinitely.

The School was closed on Tuesday, after over 100 students reportedly exihibited cholera disease symptoms.

The school management in a message to parents and guardians said the learners were experiencing diarrhea due to stomach pains.

"Dear parent/Guardian, this is to inform you that your son has been sent home due to an outbreak of stomach problems leading to diarrhea,” states the message.

The school administration said the learners will be recalled back to school once a medical officer declares the institution safe.

“Once the public health office gives us a report declaring the school safe for your son, we shall recall them back. Bear with us."

Some of the affected students were treated in Butere and discharged.

However, in a twist of events, Jared Obiero, Western Regional Director of Education denied reports that the school had been closed.

He said most of the affected students are form ones, and that learning was going on well.

"It is like they ingested something that caused the irritation because you know form ones eat last. They were stabilized but were given antibiotics. There is no cause for alarm. We are investigating to establish the cause of the irritation."

The development comes a day after Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls' High School also in Kakamega, was closed following the death of two students.

The two girls, a form one and a form two died from suspected food and water poisoning.

The incidences in the two schools come at the tail end of the first term of the 2023 academic calender year.