120 high school girls taken ill after food poisoning in Malindi

At least 120 students of Premier Girls Secondary School were taken ill after suffering suspected food poisoning.

The girls were rushed to Malindi District Hospital. The poisoning is suspected to be from a meal eaten on Saturday evening.

Health officials said the girls were complaining of stomach pain and suffering from vomiting and diarrhea.

County Director of Health Bilal Mazoya said officers had visited the school to take samples of the food eaten for analysis.

"120 students were taken to the Malindi District Hospital complaining of stomach cramps, some were vomiting. We suspect that it could have been the food they ate the previous evening," said Dr Mazoya.

He said the girls were re-hydrated and also given antibiotics to treat infection.

"We will give a comprehensive report once all the tests are done. For now, we are not able to completely tell if it's a case of suspected food poisoning," he explained.

Regional Police Commander Francis Wanjohi said the girls were affected by the food they had eaten.

"The girls had eaten ugali and sukuma for supper before some of them started complaining of stomach pain," he said.