The government will compensate the parents of pupils who died due to a poisoning event at Mukumu Girls High School with Ksh.400,000 each.

According to Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, the government will pay Ksh 1.2 million to compensate the parents of three pupils who died due to food poisoning at the school. 

In response to a query from Kakamega Senator Bonny Khakwale, Machogu stated that the government will not press criminal charges against former school principal Fridah Ndolo or the school administration after an investigation.

PHOTO | COURTESY mukumu girls high school

According to him, the multi-agency team that investigated the incident found no criminal wrongdoing on the part of the school administration.

Machogu contended that there is no indication that the principal was sending food to the school for them to accuse her.

As of May 30, 1962, pupils had reported to the school, 44 had yet to report, and 56 had sought to be moved. 

Senators, however, questioned why the incident occurred while the handbook and standards existed and what steps have been taken to guarantee that such incidents do not occur in the future.

Education CS explained that One area that they have heard a weakness is guidelines and directions are issued. Still, who follows to ensure they are enforced? That is what they have corrected now, ensuring that education officers are empowered to move around and enforce them.