The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) on Wednesday, April 5 revealed that students at Mukumu Girls' High School in Kakamega County suffered from a double infection of gastroenteritis and amoeba.
Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Susan Nakhumicha revealed that scores of students contracted the infection and had to be admitted.
Most students complained of severe stomach upsets and abdominal discomfort.
"We have a total of 108 cases of gastroenteritis, a stomach disease which has resulted in two deaths. A majority were managed as outpatients with 40 admitted," she stated.
Nakhumicha disclosed that a student who was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) improved and was moved to the general ward at the Kakamega Referral Hospital.
Nonetheless, she announced a review of the guidelines on food handling in schools. All public schools will be inspected to ensure they meet the required standards.
"We will be working with the county governments to assess facilities on how they handle food and verify that the cooks are certified by the Ministry of Health," the CS pointed out.
Among the guidelines are that the tables used in dining halls should be made of steel or have formica material which is easy to clean.
Nakhumicha called on school principals to ensure high standards of sanitation in the kitchen and dining area, reiterating that it was under their purview and not the government.
The Health boss accompanied by Education Principal Secretary (PS) Belio Kipsang' toured the school on April 5 during which they established five loopholes for a disease breakout.
School Principal Fridah Ndolo disclosed that the school sourced its water from a stream which was stored in an overhead tank.
However, the team posed questions about the faulty water filter, the effectiveness of the chlorination process, and how often the tank was cleaned.
The delegation also visited Butere Boys High School was also closed indefinitely after a similar outbreak.
