Police officers on Wednesday, June 21, launched a manhunt for a suspect who was accused of poisoning a source of water at a primary school in Nyandarua.
The head cook at Munyeki Primary School raised the alarm after discovering that the water was producing foam.
To prevent a catastrophe similar to that at Mukumu Girls earlier in the years, she filed a report with the school administration, who swiftly reached out to the police.
Detectives were deployed to conduct tests and launch investigations to ascertain whether the water was poisoned.
"I went to fetch water in a bucket and realised it was producing a lot of foam. This forced me to rush and inform the deputy head teacher because I thought that someone had added soap to the water.
"We later realised that it was something else and alarmed the school," the cook narrated, adding that she was reluctant to take unnecessary risks.
Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations who arrived at the scene confirmed that the water was poisoned and that the suspect may have orchestrated the crime at night.
2,000 litres of water tested was concluded to be poisonous for consumption. Detectives collected samples for further analysis at government laboratories as they sought to ascertain the type of poison used.
Area chief education officer Pachomius Wambugu, added that as soon as the matter was reported, the students were warned against consuming the water.
"Despite this happening, the parents and the students have remained calm, and that is very commendable. I want to assure you that the governor will ensure that security is tightened in the school and that police officers will apprehend the suspect.
"I want to thank the school cook for caring for these children and identifying the problem early. We would be analysing a different incident if it were not for her," Wambugu appreciated the cook's efforts.
Following the tragedy at Mukumu Girls in Kakamega, which claimed four lives as scores were hospitalised, Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu, ordered schools to appoint safety committees that would ensure institutions adhere to all sanitation requirements.
The members were also tasked with guaranteeing that safety guidelines are created to protect learners in case of a disease outbreak.
