Mukumu Girls Teacher Dies As Third High School Closed Over Outbreak

Juliana Mujema, a teacher at Mukumu Girls High School in Kakamega County became the fourth person in the institution to die, two days after a third student at the school succumbed in a case of suspected food and water poisoning.

Mujema died on Thursday, April 13 after a short illness, with her family confirming that she succumbed to multiple organ failure while undergoing treatment. 

The boarding mistress had passed on while at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), with reports pointing out that another teacher was still admitted to the hospital.

The deceased had shown symptoms that were exactly like the three students who succumbed following the disease outbreak in the school.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale (centre) tours the Sacred Heart High School Mukumu on Friday, March 31, 2023. /BONI KHALWALE

Mujema was admitted to Lifecare Speciality Hospital in Eldoret town where she was receiving treatment for food poisoning symptoms, having been transferred from Oasis Hospital in Kakamega following a series of tests that indicated that her condition was worsening. 

Until her untimely demise, Mujema served as a teacher and doubled up as a boarding mistress at the High School.

The school was shut down indefinitely on Monday, April 3 following the outbreak that saw over 124 students hospitalised at the Kakamega County General Hospital following reports that more than 500 students were infected by the bacteria.

Meanwhile, a crisis is looming across schools in the country after Mukuuni Boys High School students in Tharaka Nithi County were sent home indefinitely after a disease outbreak at the institution.

The County Director of Education Bridget Wambua confirmed the incident, noting that the school was closed on Wednesday, April 12 after 40 students were hospitalised at Chuka Nursing Home and Chuka County Referral Hospital after displaying symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea and stomachache. However, most of the students were released but two of them are currently admitted at Chuka Nursing Home.

“One of our schools in the county was closed yesterday because there was a disease outbreak. Some of the boys suffered diarrhoea while others were vomiting. The school suspects the water used was contaminated during road construction works.

“However, we cannot ascertain that we are waiting for a report from the public health officers,” she commented, adding that the students started doing their end-of-term examinations but arrangements would be made for them to return and complete the tests.

Mukuuni joined Mukumu Girls and Butere Boys High School in Kakamega County in schools shut down owing to the disease outbreak that is threatening to spiral into a national crisis affecting high schools across the country.

On Wednesday, April 5, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) revealed that the Mukumu students suffered from a double infection of gastroenteritis and amoeba, with Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Susan Nakhumicha however revealing 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.