5 Students Go Blind, 1 Dead After Consuming Hand Sanitizer

A student in Form Four at Kaputir Secondary School in Turkana South has died and five others went blind after drinking hand sanitizer.

The six students were all male of age between 16 and 17 years. They consumed a substance with a high alcohol content on Saturday, February 20.

The five learners who are the moment visually challenged, revealed that they regret drinking the sanitizer.

One of them who has dreams of becoming a doctor said that it was unfortunate his dream could be ended by mere stupidity.

One of the surviving students said that he was lucky to be alive because he “drank from a cup which had a mixture of the hand sanitizer and water.”

“I am feeling pain in the throat and stomach,” said the learner.

Some parents of some of the students who could not afford the money needed for emergency medical attention, are still receiving basic care at the medical clinic in the school.

The Principal of the school refused to comment on the matter.

Parents of the school said they want clarity about the incident because none of the school administrators have communicated to them.

“We demand the principal resigns, and the Board of Governor sent home over negligence,” said one of the parents.

The body of the student who died was taken to Turkana hospital morgue, awaiting burial next.