Mukumu Girls' High School closed after death of two students

Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls' High School in Kakamega County has been closed, indefinitely.

Education stakeholders decided to close the school on Monday, after two students died from suspected food and water poisoning.

The two students were among over 100 learners admitted at the Kakamega County General Teaching and Refferal Hospital, over the past few days after developing stomach complications in school.

Jared Obiero, Director of Education, Western region said they decided to close the school to leave room for proper investigations on the safety of water and food in the institution.

He said the school will not be closed for long, insisting that students have to get back soon to continue with studies as the first term of 2023 draws to a close.

Initially, 124 students were hospitalised after experiencing diarrhoea, vomiting and dizziness, before the number more than doubled.

Most of the students have since been discharged. About 25 remain in hospital.

The school principal Fridah Ndolo has since given the names of the two students who died. They are Wendy Oyugi and Miriam Namachanja. They were in form one and form two respectively.

Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale is among leaders who visited the school on Monday morning.