Fear lingers as three students of Jaramogi University die in one week

A Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology students' hostel. PHOTO: FILE

Three students of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology have died in one week.

The deaths have left students and staff at the university puzzled and demanding the closure of hospitals where they students were treated before they died.

The latest casualty is Malcolm Nyalala, a third year bachelor of education student who died on Thursday while undergoing treatment at Siaya County Referral Hospital. According to sources, Mr Nyalala, who has been doing his industrial attachment at a secondary school in Siaya town, fell sick and was taken to the hospital by his parents.

On Saturday last week, two students died in different hospitals where they had been taken for treatment. Their deaths sparked a riot, with the students blaming the county's health facilities for negligence.

Private facility

Lillian Muthoni, 22, a second year bachelor of education student reportedly fell sick and was rushed to Bondo Sub-County Hospital before she was referred to a private facility.

Another student had also died at Siaya County Referral hospital while being treated for malaria.

According to Walter Ochieng, assistant chief of Nyawita sub-location where the campus is located, the female student, who had been living with a male colleague at a private hostel near the university campus, died shortly after arriving at Owens Hospital.

"The student had been rushed to Bondo Sub-County Hospital with a severe headache but had to be transferred to Owens Hospital due to lack of personnel to attend to her," said Mr Ochieng.

The deaths sent students into the streets demanding the closure of Bondo and Siaya hospitals or prosecution of the medical staff, whom they accused of neglect.

But County Director of Health Samwel Omondi, exonerated the medics, arguing that the university had its own health care service.

"The only person who would be in a better position to address this issue is the vice chancellor," he said.