Heated Exchange: Mukumu Girls Principal vs. Education PS Belio Kipsang
She was working quietly away from media scrutiny until the deaths of two students drew attention from the nation.
The deaths resulted in the institution’s permanent closure, prompting her to blame “toxic” media for “causing panic” among the learners.
In addition to parents and guardians, Frida Ndolo, the principal of Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls’ High School, has drawn the attention from health and education ministries, leaders, and the media.
The food contamination killed two students and hospitalized tens more.
PS Kipsang asked Ndolo why he was on the phone and added, “Don’t you realize we are here on an important fact-finding mission to establish what caused the deaths of our daughters?”
Ndolo responded that he was calling the person responsible for opening the grocery store. Kipsang quickly retorted by asking why Ndolo hadn’t planned, stating that Ndolo always knew they would visit his school.
As the respective ministry officials regarded her, Ndolo, who appeared nervous, disconnected the call. She remained silent for the session led by CS Nakhumicha and PS Kipsang.
The principal had previously received criticism from Kenyans, including Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, after her April 3 announcement of the school’s closure went viral.
Ndolo reportedly addressed parents in a letter, informing them that, after consulting with the Ministry of Education directors and TSC directors, it had been decided that the students would break off to heal from the toxic environment created by the media.
Chrispinus Juma, a Facebook user, disagreed with Ndolo’s attribution of blame to the media.
“Ndolo asserts that the media has created a toxic environment for learners, but autopsies on the two deceased girls revealed that they died of gastritis or stomach inflammation. Was it not poisonous food or water that caused the girls’ deaths?
The decision to close the school indefinitely was made after an investigation into its management was urgently required, according to Western Region Director of Education Jared Obiero.
Ndolo claimed that the media had created a toxic environment for learners. He further questioned whether the girls had died from toxic food or water, as postmortem results revealed that they had died of gastritis or stomach inflammation.
After touring the school on Wednesday, Health CS Nakhumicha spoke to the media and expressed her dismay at the kitchen’s state.
The minister instructed the school’s principal, Ndolo, to ensure the kitchen was cleaned. The minister also pointed out that the dining tables needed to be neater.
As this occurs, Ndolo is only three months away from retirement age, 60, and retiring.
Meanwhile, Mukumu Girls’ High School food and water samples were collected for analysis at KEMRI laboratories. The results still need to be made available.
Heated Exchange: Mukumu Girls Principal vs. Education PS Belio Kipsang
