Shock as two Nakuru students die in mysterious circumstance

Shock engulfed a school yesterday after two Form Four candidates, a boy and a girl, died under unclear circumstances.

Grief-stricken parents, residents and leaders streamed to Kongasis Mixed Day and Boarding Secondary in Nakuru as a team of detectives led by Gilgil DCIO Joseph Owiti arrived to record statements from students, teachers and workers.

According to a student in the school, James Kinuthia, 17, and Faith Wanjiku, 16, were last spotted together on Saturday night enjoying a drink in a bar at Kongasis trading centre, just a few metres from the school.

The school principal Robert Kamau declined to comment on the incident and instead referred us to the police.

‘’Kindly allow me to rest, I am also hurt and sick,” he said.

At the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital where the two were rushed to, Medical Superintendent John Murima said they vomited moments before they died, two hours apart.

“The nature of their death is a police case. It is not normal that patients arrive in hospital one after another with similar symptoms and die immediately,” said Murima.

He asked parents and the school administration not to speculate and instead wait for a post-mortem report.

Dr Murima said the boy was escorted to the hospital by relatives on Saturday at 10.12pm while the girl arrived at the health facility the following day at 4.43pm.

The boy, said to be an orphan, died on Sunday evening while the girl died after spending two hours under the doctor’s watch.

The girl’s mother, Mary Syombua, said her daughter and another girl were living outside the school compound in a rental house. She said her daughter’s friend called at night to inform her that she was very sick.

“The phone call caught me by surprise because I knew my daughter was well. The place where I stay was also far and I had to look for money and means of transport,” she said.

On arrival on Sunday, she said her daughter was critically ill and had already been taken to the nearby Oljorai Health Centre, complaining of stomach pains and swollen limbs. She was also weak and vomiting.

“They had promised to reveal what they took, but it’s unfortunate they have gone to the grave with that information. Although our children have gone, the Government must do what it takes to establish what caused their deaths,” said the mother.

Peter Mburu said his daughter had called to say her roommate was dying and needed medical help. He said the two had moved from home and were living in a rental house.

“After sending the required amount, she told me they were to share the room with a friend. But from the look of things, the deceased must have drunk something together,” said the teary father.

Yesterday, learning at the school was paralysed as spiritual and local leaders spoke to the rest of the students.

Gilgil OCPD Serah Koki said all possible leads were being pursued by a team of detectives and urged parents to remain calm and assist police in their investigations.

“I have seen the bodies and more people, including teachers, workers and students will be questioned. We are also going to trace the last moments of the two before coming up with a detailed and comprehensive report,” she said.

At Kongasis trading centre, a small iron-sheet room where Faith and her friend lived remained locked.

A neighbour, Fredrick Rono, said he saw Faith and James outside the room on Friday night, before they left holding each other’s hands.