Kuppet faults Khalwale for blaming Mukumu Girls ex-principal for tragedy

Secondary school teachers have warned politicians from escalating the tragedy that befell Mukumu Girls.

Kenya national union of post-primary education teachers secretary general Akelo Misori said Kakamega Senator Bony Khalwale was wrong for linking Mukumu Girls' woes to the former Principal Frida Ndolo.

At the peak of the matter, Khalwale blamed the school principal and other staff for the tragedy.

"The Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission accordingly stand accused of failing to take any single action against the School Principal, BOM, and other officers who, through sheer negligence, deliberate greed or incompetence, are responsible for the current life-threatening mess at Mukumu Girls," he said.

Misori now says as the school goes through the issue that left three students and one teacher dead, leaders should be careful.

"We take great exception to comments by Khalwale, who has repeatedly misdirected his ire from the county government to an innocent principal," Misori said.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Misori said the issues raised by the Ministry of Health are devolved functions.

The Ministry of Health said the students might have consumed water and food that was contaminated.

“For that matter, the construction and maintenance of sewer systems in Mukumu Girls High School is a responsibility of the Kakamega County Government,” he said.

The unionist said the former principal Fridah Ndolo had no power over sewer systems developed by the county government.

He explained that the issues facing Mukumu Girls, Butere Boys and St Peter’s Mumias should be probed.

“To achieve disease prevention and control in schools, routine school inspection should be allocated more resources,” he said.

Misori added that laboratory investigation of keys public health concerns should also be part of a routine inspection.