At least 51 pupils from Kanaani Integrated Primary School in Athi River, Machakos County, were on Thursday rushed to hospital after consuming poisonous wild fruits from a tree within the institution’s premises.
According to Machakos County Health Executive Daniel Yumbwa, the students exhibited signs of vomiting and severe abdominal pain, prompting samples to be collected from them for further investigation at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).
“We were able to mobilize our resources and send ambulances to the affected students with help from the police,” said Yumbya.
“Initially, only 24 pupils displayed the symptoms but a further 27 were later affected. In total, 51 pupils ingested the poisonous fruits.”
He added that in accordance with safety guidelines, the tree will be destroyed to prevent such incidents from occurring in future.
