Police in Kapenguria have launched a manhunt for a middle-aged man accused of poisoning food for pupils and teachers at Chepkoti primary school in the Siyoi area of West Pokot County.
According to the school’s headmaster, the school’s food store was discovered disorganised on Friday morning. He then noticed that the cooking oil had changed colour from yellow to greyish and that powder-like particles, thought to be anti-rodent poison, were visible on the surface of the oil.
There was no forced entry into the food store, raising suspicions that it was an inside job.
The cooking oil, as well as maize and beans, have since been confiscated for testing.
“We suspect, the man in the company of others entered the head teacher’s office and a food store adjacent to the office on Thursday night and committed the heinous act. The head teacher alleges that he securely locked the office and found it intact later,” West Pokot sub-county police commandant Kipkemoi Kirui said.
Kirui called on parents to remain calm as investigations commence.
No learner or staff member consumed any of the food.
The suspect is said to have also stolen KES 6,400, salt and beans.
