Dozens of Students Paralyzed by Mysterious Illness at Eregi Girls

A mysterious illness has paralyzed dozens of students at a girls’ secondary school in western Kenya, leaving them unable to walk or move their limbs.

The illness, which has no known cause or cure, emerged on Monday at Eregi Girls Secondary School in Kakamega County, about 300 kilometers (186 miles) northwest of Nairobi, the capital. At least 62 students have been hospitalized since then, according to local media reports.

The students, who range from 14 to 18 years old, have experienced symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, numbness and loss of sensation in their legs. Some of them have also collapsed in class or while walking.

“It is very scary and painful,” said Faith Wanjiku, a 16-year-old student who was admitted to Kakamega County General Hospital (KCGH) on Tuesday. “I can’t feel my legs or move them. I don’t know what is happening to me.”

The school authorities and health officials have not been able to identify the source or nature of the illness, which they suspect could be due to dehydration, malnutrition, infection or poisoning.

“We are still investigating the cause of this condition,” said Dr. John Ombati, the medical superintendent of KCGH. “We have taken samples from the students and sent them to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) for analysis. We hope to get the results soon.”

The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is a state-owned research organization that conducts biomedical and health research. KEMRI officials are also expected to visit the school and conduct tests on the food, water and environment of the school.

The school has been temporarily closed and all the students have been sent home until further notice. The parents and guardians of the students have been advised to monitor their health and report any signs of illness immediately.

The parents and guardians have also expressed concern and frustration over the lack of information and action from the school and health authorities.

“We are very worried about our children,” said Mary Wambui, whose daughter is among the affected students. “We don’t know what is wrong with them or how to help them. We want answers and solutions.”

The incident has also sparked fear and anxiety among the students who have not been affected by the illness. They have demanded that the school authorities take measures to protect them and find out the truth behind the illness.

“We are afraid that we might get sick too,” said Grace Njeri, a 15-year-old student who was not affected by the illness. “We don’t trust the food or water here. We think someone might have poisoned us. We want justice.”

The incident has also raised questions about the quality and safety of education and health services in Kenya, especially in rural areas where resources are scarce and infrastructure is poor.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Kenya has a population of about 53 million people, but only about 7,000 doctors and 25,000 nurses. This means that there is one doctor for every 7,571 people and one nurse for every 2,120 people, far below the WHO recommended ratio of one doctor for every 1,000 people and one nurse for every 300 people.

The WHO also estimates that about 15 percent of Kenyans do not have access to safe drinking water and about 30 percent do not have access to basic sanitation services. This increases the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery.

The Kenyan government has pledged to improve the quality and accessibility of education and health services in the country, especially for vulnerable groups such as women and children. In 2018, President Uhuru Kenyatta launched a universal health coverage program that aims to provide affordable and quality health care for all Kenyans by 2022.

However, the program has faced challenges such as inadequate funding, corruption, mismanagement and resistance from some health workers who have gone on strike several times over low pay and poor working conditions.

The mysterious illness at Eregi Girls Secondary School is a reminder of the urgent need for more investment and action in improving the education and health sectors in Kenya.