About 59 students at Kanaani Integrated Primary School were on Tuesday, February 13, rushed to Athi River Sub County Level 4 hospital after developing stomach complications.
The pupils are alleged to have consumed poisonous wild fruits which the school headteacher claimed they picked on the school fence.
According to the headteacher, the pupils, of ages ranging between 6 and 9, began displaying the signs immediately after their lunch break, prompting the institution to take quick measures.
“The incident took place between 2-3 pm. We quickly mobilised an ambulance and the students were rushed to Athi River Level Four hospital,” stated the head teacher.
A County Executive Committee Member at the Athi River Sub-County Level 4 Hospital stated the pupils were brought in batches and the first group of 24 pupils arrived at the hospital at around 4 pm.
The CEC member also noted a special ward had been set for the pupils and nurses dispatched.
While addressing the matter, Machakos County Governor Wavinya Ndeti stated that 51 pupils were treated and discharged on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, 8 others were retained at the hospital for overnight observation and discharged on Wednesday morning after being stabilised.
“One pupil is still under observation at the facility but in a stable condition,” Ndeti stated.
Wavinya Ndeti assured concerned Kenyans that samples of the wild fruits had been taken for analysis at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).
"The good news is that medics at the facility managed to deal with all cases," the Governor remarked.
“I congratulate the Department of Health and Emergency Services and other State agencies for the swift and coordinated action in responding to and containing the incident,” she added.
