A Form Three boy has ended his life in Ndhiwa, Alara village – Homa Bay County following his girlfriend resolution to terminate their relationship.

The 18-year-old student at Alara Mixed Secondary School, Kelvin Omondi, killed himself using a sisal rope yesterday on Wednesday evening after his form three partner at a neighbouring school denounced him by deciding to quit their love affair.

Omondi is said to have hung himself shortly after a telephone chat with the girlfriend in which they are assumed to have disagreed. South West Kwabwai Location Chief Grace Oguta, confirmed the incident adding that the girl’s parent was opposing their love affair with the boy, therefore, forcing her to step out of the long time bond.

Chief Oguta said the two students have had the relationship since they were in primary school and the got angry when the girl decided to quit.

The body of the student was transferred to Sori Lakeside mortuary.

_Ministry of Health has started targeted testing at Maranda School following a COVID-19 positive case by a student. Siaya County Director of Public Health Kennedy Orwenjo confirmed the case stating that a positive case was discovered at the institution last weekend.

The County Director said that they are currently tracing and testing individuals who may have had contacted the victim. He, however, noted that not every candidate at Maranda High School undergo testing.

He pronounced that the county still cannot test every 600 student in session at Maranda High School due to incapacity.

Kennedy Orwenjo additionally discharged claims that a teacher from Maranda High School is in isolation.

He revealed that targeted testing kicked off on Tuesday and they are currently waiting for outcomes of samples taken. The candidate who tested positive of COVID-19 is currently in Bondo Sub-County Hospital in the isolation unit.

Two learning institutions in Mombasa were lately closed due to positive cases of COVID-19 at the schools. Learners and teachers from Tononoka High School and Star of the Sea Secondary School tested positive for COVID-19 pushing the management to direct closure of the schools.

Tononoka Secondary Principal Mohammed Khamis succumbed On October 26, following a short illness.

In Summary

• Basic Education PS Belio Kipsang reported that a total of 59 teachers, learners, non-teaching staff in 35 schools have tested positive for the coronavirus since reopening.
• However Education Cabinet Secretary has ordered schools to remain still as the government works with the Health Ministry to guarantee learners are protected.

Education Cabinet secretary Professor George Magoha has said the government has no intentions to reclose learning institutions even as the number of Covid-19 victims continues to rise.

Pronouncing on Thursday 29th of October, the CS downplayed the danger of infection on learners and maintained there is no ground for alarm as no panic amongst learners has been observed.

The CS was inspecting the distribution of desks obtained under an Sh1.9 billion tender stimulus package at Nairobi's Uhuru Gardens Primary School.

Basic Education PS Belio Kipsang on yesterday while appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Education reported that 4 non-teaching staff, 17 students and 33 teachers in 35 schools had so far tested positive of covid-19.

However, the CS says has directed the schools to continue with calm as the state will work with the Health Ministry to warrant the learners' safety.

Professor Magoha remarks that plan to conduct the national examinations KCPE and KCSE is still on course. "We will let you know if we anything changes but as of now, the plan to conduct exams remain as planned," Magoha said.

The Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exams is scheduled in March, while the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams is slated between April and May next year.

The CS had earlier this week warned all schools against mass reopening pointing that the government is yet to confirm other students’ resumption of school.

Education Principal Secretary Dr Belio Kipsang has revealed that a total of 50 students and teachers have tested positive for COVID-19 since the reopening of schools earlier this month.

Among the 50 affected, 17 are students while 33 of them are teachers. Non-teaching staffs have also been reported to have contracted the virus.

Speaking to members of parliament at the National Assembly, Dr Kipsang, told the Assembly’s Education Committee that 35 schools countrywide.

Schools Won't Be Reclosed

Kipsang however, ruled out any likelihood of school closure in the next eventuality.

“We are not about to close schools unless advised by the Ministry of Health, but we are putting our heads together to work our modalities of reopening other classes,” said Dr Kipsang.

Social Distance Issue

He informed the Members of Parliament that the greatest challenge faced in public schools is achieving social distancing due to inadequate infrastructure. He added that public schools would need to double their infrastructure if they were to accomplish it.

The PS maintained that the Education Ministry is planning to mitigate, by giving water for regular washing of hands and ensuring that students wear masks in schools.

Government Won't Buy Masks

He additionally pronounced that the government does not plan to buy face masks for students requesting parents to take responsibility.

Dr Kipsang stated that they will partner with development allies to guarantee students who cannot afford masks get them in order to restrict the spread of the virus.

Parents And Politicians To Blame

The PS blamed parents and politicians for frustrating attempts to curb the spread of the disease.

“Our challenge is our parents attending political rallies and other social gatherings without masks, let’s not blame our children, why tell us to achieve social distance in schools if parents are attending rallies without observing measures?” He said.

Members of the committee led by Chairperson and Busia County Woman Representative Hon Florence Mutua noted that despite the fact that it’s crucial for learners to go back to school, the government need to put in place satisfactory measures to warrant the safety of children before they resume learning in schools.

Tononoka Secondary School Principal Mr Mohammed Khamis on Monday succumbed to the virus as death rate and infections continue to rise in the country.

Advocacy attempts to create awareness of endometriosis have borne fruit following an announcement by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development(KICD) to include menstrual disorders (MD) education in the Competency-Based Curriculum(CBC).

The move comes as a fruit of negotiations between EndoSisters EA Foundation and the Standard Group PLC via the Great Places to School Initiative to gain an influence in the lives of school-going girls in Kenya on matters menstrual wellness. They then roped in KICD through a workshop to bridge gaps on menstrual issues.

According to EndoSisters Director Ms Doris Murimi, the determination to introduce the pertinent subject in the curriculum is a breakthrough to a long way in warranting that adolescent girls will be taught on menstrual health disorders and learn to cultivate treatment-seeking behaviour while boys will be encouraged and be taught to be supportive and help in eliminating stigma as well as demystify the matter.

Moreover, teachers and parents would learn to be sensitive to issues of menstruation.

Talking to Parents, Doris said, “I am genuinely so happy about this progress. It is fundamental and changes the way menstrual issues will be dealt with from the education standpoint. It is a celebration for all of us and especially our daughters, nieces and younger sisters.”

Her emotions were further echoed by EndoSisters EA Foundation Board Chairperson, Dr Atunga Nyachieo who stressed on the value of menstrual hygiene and disorders introduced in the curriculum as it is the leading cause of absenteeism in schools for girls.

Two Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) students have been charged with collusion to swindle NCBA bank over Sh190M.

Antony Mwangi Ngige 23, and 21 years old Ann Wambui Nyoike, are claimed to have committed the crime between 20th and 22nd of October 2020 at an anonymous place within Kenya.

The two Information and Technology (IT) students are also accused of defrauding Sh 24,400,000, the property of the said bank after hacking into their system.

The two are claimed to have done the crime on different dates between 20th and 22nd October at NCBA bank head office in Upperhill, Nairobi county together with others not previously

According to the prosecution, the others are yet to be arrested. On a curious note, the court was informed that Mr Antony Ngige had alerted the bank through Twitter on the systems hitch that he learned through NCBA's mobile application.

On a curious note, the court was informed that Mr Antony Ngige had alerted the bank through Twitter on the systems hitch that he learned through NCBA's mobile application.

The defence contended that Mr Ngige was a whistleblower who has now been changed into a suspect. The lawyer disclosed that when the bank declined to react crucially to Ngige’s tweet, the accused “took it upon himself and wrote an SMS to the bank about the anomaly.”

After sending the SMS, the bank’s management summoned Mr Ngige and Ms Nyoike on Saturday as they presented themselves and again they were invited to report on Monday, succeeding their arrests.

The prosecuting counsel, Ms Winnie Moraa, did not oppose their release on bond but she urged the court to reconsider the colossal amounts involved and impose extra rigorous measures.

They were given a bond of Sh 2 million or pay a cash bail of Sh 500,000 each. The case will be mentioned on November 10th 2020.

Tononoka Secondary School principal Mohammed Khamis succumbed to Covid-19 leading to his burial on Monday 3 pm under Islamic rites.

His loss came days following the school was closure that was led by reports of Covid-19 infections. He was eulogised as humble.

Tononoka secondary school deputy principal Benjamin Kitsao Nzaro affirmed his departure on Monday. Khamis passed away while admitted at Mombasa hospital under ICU for a week.

Two High schools in Mombasa was last week shut down after 15 teachers were confirmed positive for coronavirus.

Mombasa county commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo announced 11 teachers from Tononoka secondary School and 4r others from Mama Ngina Secondary School tested positive for the virus.

At Mama Ngina High School, learning went on as usual despite the cases. Star of the Sea School, however, requested for samples and according to a circular from the management signed by headteacher A. Mulinge, the school was closed for fumigation.

At Machakos, 4 teachers were quarantined after a form 4 candidate tested positive for COVID-19. Covid_19 cases were also reported in schools in Nandi Hills and Kakamega County.

Education CS George Magoha has warned learning institutions against a further resumption of learning, with 931 more people testing positive for Covid-19 on Sunday.

“The government has not authorised the further reopening of other schools in public, private or international schools… that decision is yet to be considered by the Cabinet and when we get to it, the nation shall be told,” Magoha said.

A 15-year-old standard Eight candidate is healing wounds after he was attacked and severely injured by a hippopotamus at Nyamnwa Beach in Bondo sub-county. Austin Onyango was attacked by the scamp hippo and seriously hurt on the leg.

His father Meshack Okuku confirmed the incident stating that the boy was at the lakeshore together with his friends when the mammal which had left to feed outside the lake attacked and seriously wounded him.

Siaya County Beach Management (BMU) network chairman Okuku, said that cases of hippo attacks have grown rampantly in many beaches all over the county.

"We are calling upon the government to intervene and curb the attacks," said Okuku suggesting that the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) should ascertain a way of restraining or managing and controlling the dangerous animals.

The pupil was treated at the Bondo sub-county hospital and released to go back home where he is nursing his wounds.

Hippo attacks have greatly increased lately around Lake Victoria inviting the attention of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) over the emerging human-wildlife crisis.

Less than 4 weeks ago, a hippopotamus engaged and drag a child to his death in Lake Victoria as screeching masses hopelessly hit the creature with rocks.

The class 8 candidate was playing by Lake Victoria shore in Mbita beach as men and women washed clothes nearby when the hippo dived on him and pulled him inside the deep point of the lake.

This year on June, a 9-year-old pupil was attacked by a hippopotamus at Lake Victoria's Nyamagonglo beach in Bondo Sub-County on Saturday eventide.

According to villagers who saw him the grade Two pupil had left to fetch water in the company of his elder 13-year-old sibling when they were both attacked by the rogue hippo.

University Education and Research PS Simon Nabukhwesi have acknowledged that the Ministry of Education is informed that schools are hurting from lack of enough funds to run the schools.

The PS, in a Daily Nation on Sunday, 25th of October, revealed that the ministry was knowledgeable of the experience and was working towards warranting public schools are well-financed.

He additionally appended that the new development emerged out of the ministry’s desire to have all Class 8 and Form 4 candidates pass their examinations and safeguard slots in Universities and Form one respectively.

“The pandemic is with us, and I urge you to observe the required protocols such as social distancing, frequent handwashing and the wearing of face masks. The ministry expects every child to pass the national examinations and join form one, university or college,” stated the PS.

The statement comes a day after headteachers summoned an order by Education CS George Magoha in which he had instructed learning institutions not to send home learners on account of school fees.

The teachers demonstrated that they do not have sufficient capitals to manage schools.

“Principals are facing hard times because without funds it’s impossible to feed learners and cater for their boarding requirements,” stated Indimuli.

Education Ministry failed to expend funds to aid the assessment tests of learners that commenced on Wednesday, October 21, complicating the predicament further.

In a desperate move, some learning institutions asked parents with children in Grade 4 and Class 8 to pay between Sh200-400 for provision of the examinations following the ministry failure to disburse money.

Meanwhile, Covid-19 has continued to hit the country again raising anxieties that schools may be compelled to shut, yet.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has now declined to allow the resumption of studies for all other learners slated for this month.

Education Chief Administrative Secretary Mr Zackary Kinuthia, though, noted that schools would not be closed again and that the KCPE and KCSE examinations would proceed as planned.

The Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam is programmed for March 22, 2021, as the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Exams (KCSE) is scheduled to commence on 25th of March 2021.

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has ruled out the closure of schools due to coronavirus crises reported in schools noting that the small holes of infections in schools are being observed strictly.

“We are auditing processes that took place over the last two weeks. Any decision to be made will be based on facts. Nobody is thinking of closing schools again and nobody is thinking of rushing to reopen the others.” He said.

The Education CS, who visited Kakamega County on Friday to scrutinise production units for desks distributed to primary and schools, said his visits are to ensure desks meet specifications and are of a good feature before payments are processed.

Reopening Of School May Take Longer.

Magoha noted that the rest of learners may take longer to return to schools adding that no dates were given.

“That date of October 26 belonged to the media. What we said is that we were going to monitor how everything is going and shall make an announcement in consultation with the Interior and Health ministries.”

The professor emphasised that the infections in learning institutions are a picture of the circumstances among communities in specific areas and that the reopening of clubs and bars has led to a spike in the rate of infections.

He joined Health Chief Administrative Secretary Dr Mercy Mwangangi in noting that the ministry has taken steps to restrain the spread of the virus and that there is “nothing to worry about”.

“We have had small pockets of outbreaks in places such as Mombasa, which have necessitated certain actions, for example, the closure of schools for two weeks, but we are happy nothing serious has happened,” he said.

Magoha said public and private universities teachers’ training colleges (TTCs) and TVETs, have also resumed and that there is no reason for worry.

The Education CS further remarked that it is not the Education ministry’s obligation to shut schools over health anxieties as such a determination is explained under the Public Health Act, he said.

“We are happy that we reopened schools for three million of our children in Grade Four, Standard Eight and Form Four. We are also very happy to announce that nothing major has happened that can shake our resolve.” He noted.