Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls High School is set for reopening on Monday after it was shut down over a month ago following an outbreak of a strange illness that claimed the lives of a teacher and four students.
At the same time, politicians have been urged to leave the reopening process strictly to experts to help restore calm and normalcy.
The school administration said in a statement released today that they had handled all the health concerns including treatment of water sources and getting rid of the foodstuff, particularly maize.
But there were concerns still as a section of leaders from the area demanded to know what happened to the alleged contaminated maize.
“We were told that we would witness the destruction of the toxic foodstuff but are yet to. This has kicked up all manner of speculations including that it was either stolen or repackaged,” said Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.
Dr. Khalwale, in the company of locals and a section of parents, tried to storm the school last week but were repulsed by security personnel.
The senator claimed that part of the contaminated maize was sneaked out of the institution by police officers who were deployed to provide security for sale to unsuspecting members of the public.
However, Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula urged his fellow political leaders to tone down and let the administration restore sanity at the institution situated in Shinyalu Constituency along the Kakamega-Kisumu Highway.
“We have done all we can as national and county governments to make sure the school is very safe for reopening. We should, thus, stop making sensational statements that could cause panic among parents and students,” he said.
The new principal, Jane Mmbone, said yesterday that they expected all their students back and assured parents of their safety.
“It is unfortunate that we lost three of our daughters and a member of staff but I can assure the rest that such an incident will never repeat itself at Mukumu,” Sr. Mmbone added.
The sentiments were echoed by Shinyalu MP, Fred Ikana, who promised to support the school to ensure it maintained its good performance in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.
“Our focus is on the reopening as we want it to happen smoothly. Some of us will be available to offer any support that will be needed,” he said.
The over 2,000 learners will be reporting in phases between Monday and Friday and will first undergo guidance and counseling sessions before resuming studies.
By Denis Lumiti
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