Water PS Visits Kisii as Waterborne Disease Outbreak Hits Schools and Villages, Scores Hospitalized
Mary Muthoni, Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Health, has issued a warning to residents of Kisii County against consuming unboiled water from rivers and springs, citing severe contamination risks. Speaking to the public in Tabaka, the PS emphasized the dangers of drinking unsafe water, particularly for schoolchildren, and urged parents and teachers to be vigilant.
“Our government laboratories have confirmed that the water is contaminated with faecal matter, making it hazardous for human consumption,” she stated. Her visit followed a distress call from residents reporting widespread cases of severe stomach pain, high fever, and diarrhoea with bloody stools.
The worst-hit areas include Nyamarondo, Nyabigege, and Nyarigoro villages in South Mugirango, where more than 200 residents have been hospitalized with similar symptoms. According to Zachary Otieno, a medic at Tabaka Hospital, most of the affected individuals—primarily children—are exhibiting the same serious health complications. He assured the public that medical teams are working tirelessly to contain the outbreak.
This crisis comes just two weeks after a similar outbreak in Maroo, Suguta, Eng’ou, and Moticho, where several individuals were treated and later discharged. Mariwa Secondary School in Etago Subcounty has also been affected, with students experiencing severe weakness, high fever, and chills.
“We felt exhausted, feverish, and began shivering before collapsing due to weakness,” shared one of the affected students.
The alarming situation has drawn the attention of Kisii County Senator Richard Onyonka, who is calling for immediate government intervention. He urged the Ministry of Health to act swiftly, emphasizing that this crisis requires more than hospital treatments—it demands urgent preventive measures in the affected regions.
“This is not a minor issue. The government must prioritize this outbreak to prevent further casualties,” he stated. Additionally, he urged the Cabinet Secretary for Education to consider temporarily closing schools in the affected regions to curb the spread, noting that children are the most vulnerable.
Tabaka Ward MCA Jimmy Kenyenya echoed the Senator’s concerns and encouraged residents to adopt proper hygiene practices. He stressed the importance of each household having a functional pit latrine and proper waste disposal systems to reduce future outbreaks.
While assuring residents of the government’s commitment to addressing the crisis, he emphasized that personal hygiene and safe water consumption remain critical in preventing future outbreaks.
