Khalwale slams Mukumu Girls’ principal for terming media ‘toxic’ over school closure

By , K24 Digital
On Tue, 4 Apr, 2023 11:28 | 2 mins read
Senator Bony Khalwale slams Mukumu Girls principal
Kakamega Senator Bony Khalwale. PHOTO/ Courtesy

Kakamega Senator Bony Khalwale has slammed Mukumu Girls' High School principal Fridah Ndolo for allegedly terming the media as toxic following the school's closure after food poisoning.

In a statement, Khalwale insinuated impunity on the school management for blaming the school closure on "toxic environment already created by media".

"In her letter to parents following the closure of our iconic Mukumu Girls High School, the principal, unblinking, blames what she calls toxic media for the closure of the school! If impunity had a face..." Khalwale stated.

In a letter dated April 3, 2023, alleged to be from the senior principal, Ms Ndolo claimed that the government "decided that students break off to heal of the toxic environment already created by media."

"This is to notify you that following consultation of the Ministry of Education directors and TSC directors it has been decided that students break off to heal of the toxic environment already created by media. Kindly ensure your daughter receives medical attention and report with a medical report on any underlying issue from MOH from a government hospital. Once the board sits and deliberates they will resume once the conditions are corrected," the letter read in part.

Mukumu Girls' closure

Mukumu Girls' High School was closed indefinitely on Monday, April 3, 2023, following the death of two students, who were taken ill after a food poisoning incident.

In a statement, the Western Region director of education Jared Obiero said the incident left at least 500 students fell sick with bacteria infections after consuming the food.

"Mukumu Girls High school has been closed indefinitely after two students died and over 500 others infected with bacteria infections after consuming intoxicated food and contaminated water," Obiero said.

As of Monday, at least 30 students were still fighting for their lives at St Elizabeth’s Mukumu Mission Hospital