Mukumu Girls High School teacher dies in Hospital

By Peter Ochieng

Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls High School teacher in Kakamega County died in hospital on Thursday, as a result of a mysterious infection.

The infection caused by suspected food and water poisoning, had already led to the death of three students; form one, form two and form four learners.

Julian Mujema, the boarding mistress was recieving treatment at the Life Care Speciality Hospital in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, before she succumbed to multiple organ failure.

She was admitted at the facility's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on Wednesday night, with kidney and liver failure complications.

According to Dr Rahul Koshek, who is in charge of the hospital’s ICU department, the patient's blood pressure was low.

“The chief complaint was unstable vital, multi-organ failure and bleeding from the vagina. When she came in she was very critical. Losing a lot of blood and her blood pressure was very low."

Before being admitted in Eldoret, Mujema had been treated at three different hospitals and discharged.

Amos Ngira, Mujema's brother said:

"When I talked to the doctors here, they said they reported these cases of Mukumu Girls to the government. They said they present rare conditions that need interventions of Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and other health practitioners."

Mukumu Girls High School was closed last week, after over 100 students were hospitalised over what remains an unclear infection.

Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale accused the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) of negligence.

The vocal politician warned parents against taking their children back to the school until outstanding issues are resolved.