A distressing incident in Tharaka Nithi has left investigators probing the untimely deaths of two Form Four students who reportedly consumed ethanol at Karigini Mixed Day Secondary School.
The tragic event occurred within the school premises and has raised concerns about the safety of chemicals in educational institutions.
According to both school authorities and the police, the two students consumed ethanol in the school laboratory. Regrettably, the consumption of the chemical led to their deaths just days after the incident.
A team of detectives from Nairobi has now joined local authorities to investigate the matter further.
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.
These students were rushed to the hospital after showing signs of illness on Saturday afternoon.
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.
Parents called for increased vigilance in schools, particularly concerning the handling and storage of chemicals, including ethanol, in laboratory settings.
