Kakamega – Mere days after reopening, Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls High School is facing a medical crisis as 11 of its students have been hospitalized due to various illnesses. The school, which reopened on May 8, first welcomed back Form Four pupils.
According to reports, the affected students were admitted to St. Elizabeth Mukumu Mission Hospital on Friday, May 12. Two students are receiving treatment for malaria, while the other nine are suffering from abdominal pain and fatigue.
School Principal Jane Mmbone confirmed the incident but assured the public that there is no cause for alarm, as the students are responding well to treatment. “Three of the students have been discharged after their condition improved and are back in school,” said Mmbone. She explained that the remaining students returned to school before fully recovering and are now undergoing treatment and close monitoring. To address any potential emergencies, a nurse has been stationed at the school and will refer students to nearby hospitals for treatment as needed.
The recent illnesses have brought renewed attention to Mukumu Girls High School, which has seen a series of tragic events including the deaths of three students and one teacher. In response to these incidents, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the county government, temporarily closed the school on April 3, 2023, to investigate and implement health measures. The closure followed reports of a mysterious illness that hospitalized over 100 students, presenting symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and high fever.
Upon closing the school, then-Principal Fridah Ndolo urged parents to closely monitor their children as part of the effort to curb the infection. The Ministry of Health later revealed that the students had been exposed to food contaminated with human waste, prompting immediate action to address the issue.