Over 50 students from Eregi Girls High School were hospitalized on Monday, September 2, over an unknown illness.
The students stated that they were unable to stand because of some weakness in their joints. However, they were not in any pain.
In addition, the students were admitted in various hospitals in the area including Kakamega Referral Hospital Iguhu Shimbwe and other institutions.
The hospitals have asked for time to conduct tests and determine what is ailing the students.
According to a statement by E-plus ambulances Kenya, their medics were the first responders at the school. They added that they deployed six ambulances to the institution for swift evacuations.
“The involuntary movements affected both the upper and lower limbs of the students. The cause remains unknown.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and stand with the affected students and their families during this challenging time,” the statement read in part.
Also Read: 148 Students Hospitalized After Drinking Dirty Water
Students die after disease Outbreak in Western Kenya
In April 2023, contaminated food at Mukumu Girls High School in Kakamega caused a bacterial illness, leading to the death of three students and a senior teacher who doubled as boarding mistress.
Following the outbreak, the Ministry of Health closed the school after at least 246 students were hospitalized with different symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea and dizziness.
As a result, the county government of Kakamega was forced to part ways with Ksh800,000 to transport the contaminated cereals to Mombasa for incineration.
The cereals were taken to Bamburi Cement Company, which has an industrial incinerator, to complete the exercise within two days.
“For accountability purposes, I want to assure the public that the maize and the beans that were contaminated are now going to be destroyed professionally, and in compliance with National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) procedures,” Governor Fernandes Barasa stated at the time.
Also Read: Mukumu Girls Students Ate Food Contaminated with Faecal Matter
Around the same time, Butere Boys High School was also closed after 100 students were hospitalized with similar infections.
The school’s management sent the students home over fear of a cholera outbreak.
Changes Made by Gov After Mukumu Girls Case
Following the cases of ailment in the schools, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu on May 2023, revealed that the Ministry had created a manual requiring institutions to have a safety sub-committee.
Further, Machogu explained that the sub-committees were tasked with ensuring that schools adhere to all sanitation requirements and had systems to protect all learners in case of a disease outbreak.
Moreover, the Ministry developed the safety standards manual for schools to provide guidelines on ensuring safety and health conditions in the school environment.
