Two students from Karigini Mixed Secondary School, Tharaka Nithi, have allegedly died and several others hospitalized after consuming ethanol from the school lab.
Tharaka Nithi county police commander Zacchaeus Ngeno revealed that 11 other students, comprising four girls and seven boys, are currently undergoing treatment at Chuka County Referral Hospital.
Ngeno commented, “We have been told the students took the chemical on Thursday evening, but only one showed signs of dizziness immediately. We have since established it is the cause of the deaths.”
He added that investigations into the incident are ongoing, and more information will be disclosed in due course.
As part of the investigation, samples of the chemical have been collected for further analysis, and autopsies will be conducted on the deceased students.
Ngeno emphasized that the students who tragically passed away might have been saved had they sought immediate medical attention.
While those admitted to the hospital are reportedly responding well, they will remain under observation for some time.
School and health officials plan to visit the institution to interview students, and teachers, and provide assurance regarding their safety, addressing concerns raised by parents and guardians.
