Tharaka-Nithi KNUT official urges government to feed hungry pupils
Kenya National Union of Teachers Meru South branch secretary-general Njeru Mutani (left) and chairman Kimathi Mutegi on February 11, 2016. FILE PHOTO | ALEX NJERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Seventeen pupils from Mutuguni Primary School in Tharaka-Nithi County are admitted to hospital after eating poisonous wild seeds.
- The official asked President Kenyatta to ensure that locals are given relief food as he promised during his tour in the county in January.
The national government has been urged to start feeding programmes in primary schools to avert incidences of pupils eating poisonous wild fruits because of hunger.
Kenya National Union of Teachers’ Tharaka-Nithi County branch secretary-general Njeru Mutani said Friday learning had been affected in areas stricken by hunger in the county.
He said the 47 pupils from Mutuguni Primary School who were hospitalised at Consolata Cottage Hospital in Chuka town on Wednesday for poisoning after eating poisonous wild seeds were hungry.
“Government should immediately start feeding program in primary schools to avoid incidences of pupils eating poisonous wild fruits and seeds,” said Mr Mutani.
He noted that school dropout had increased especially in the drier areas of Tharaka and Igambang’ombe as pupils help their parents to look for food and water.
The official asked President Kenyatta to ensure that locals are given relief food as he promised during his tour in the county in January.
