Police probe food poisoning at Strathmore University

NAIROBI: Police have joined investigations into an incident in which more than 80 students and staff at the Strathmore University were admitted at various hospitals in Nairobi after suspected food poisoning.

The team of investigators wants to establish the cause of the poisoning which led to the hospitalisation of the victims. They intend to interview the college management, victims and the caterer.

Nairobi head of CID Nicholas Kamwende said they want to know what caused the problem. “The officers pursuing the matter will get samples of the food for testing and analysis to know what caused poisoning as reported,” he said.Kamwende said they were yet to know more about the incident.

The victims rushed to hospitals were among about 300 others, most of them final-year students, who took the food during the university’s seniors’ dinner last week on Friday.

Hours later, about 80 students sought medical attention at the Strathmore University Medical Centre, while others were treated at other hospitals for food poisoning.

Eleven students are admitted at Nairobi West Hospital, five at Nairobi Hospital, one at Maria Immaculata in Lavington, three at Mater Hospital and other three at Aga Khan Hospital. The university has pledged to pay the students’ medical bills.

The university’s Director of Communication Betty Ngala said the food served during the fourth year students’ party was from an outsourced caterer.

“We have launched investigations to establish the cause of food poisoning...we have liaised with the caterer who was outsourced,” she said, adding: “We usually use the university catering services. However, we have vetted a number of service providers who can provide services to the university.”

Food samples taken during the party have since been taken to various laboratories.