Mbooni Girls High School in Makueni County has temporarily sent students home after a suspected diarrhoea outbreak raised health concerns at the school.
The school administration asked parents and guardians to collect their children as health officials continue investigating the situation. Reports indicate that several students complained of stomach pain, diarrhoea and other related symptoms, prompting the school to seek help from public health officers.
County health teams have since launched inspections to determine the possible cause of the illness. Investigators are checking the school’s water supply, food preparation areas, and sanitation systems to establish whether contamination may have triggered the outbreak.
The incident has sparked concern among parents, especially because boarding schools in Kenya have previously experienced outbreaks linked to poor hygiene and unsafe water. Health experts say crowded schools can quickly spread stomach infections when institutions fail to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation standards.
The temporary closure also comes at a difficult time, as many families continue facing transport challenges caused by the ongoing nationwide matatu strike linked to rising fuel prices.
Health officials are expected to release more information after completing medical assessments and sanitation checks at the school. Parents have urged authorities to act quickly to ensure students return to a safe and healthy learning environment.
