Mukumu Girls students will now report to school on May 8 and not May 2 as earlier announced by a committee formed to oversee the reopening of the institution.
Western Regional Commissioner Irungu Macharia, who is chairing the team tasked with the implementation of recommendations from the ministries of Health and Education, said that the adjustment will allow for the completion of renovations and other work at the school.
Mr Macharia noted that the committee is close to finalising the proposed changes at the school to ensure students' safety.
"We had put a lot of things in place and the school was ready for reopening save for the disruption that occurred during a parents' meeting that was ignited by local politicians, yet the meeting was purely for parents," he said.
Macharia accused Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale of instigating the April 29 clash, during which parents demanded the destruction of condemned grain at the school, "despite knowing that environmental expert advice was necessary beforehand".
The administrator explained that the committee wanted to reopen the school early because students had lost a lot of time following the institution's indefinite closure last month. The closure occurred after the deaths of three students and a teacher, which were linked to contaminated food and water.
"We wanted to fast-track things so that learners will be able to recover the lost time," said the regional commissioner.
According to the administrator, the disposal of grains will be carried out before the school reopens. The institution, with a population of 2,000 students, was closed on April 2 after scores of learners fell ill.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu visited the institution and replaced Principal Fridah Ndolo with Sister Jane Mmbone who was stationed at Shikoti Girls High School.
