Tononoka Secondary School Principal dies

Following our report on the closure of three schools in Mombasa last week, we have more sad news today as the Principal of Tononoka Secondary School has died of COVID-19.

Many media firms reported infections among the school’s staff last week. The Deputy Principal, Mr. Nzaro has confirmed that Mr. Khamis, the Principal of Tononoka Secondary school, is dead.

The family and friends of the late school principal Mohammed Khamis buried him on Monday afternoon. He succumbed to COVID-19 after the government closed his school and three others last week.

Mr. Khamis was at Mombasa Hospital since last week. He had spent the last five days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The time of burial was at 3 pm under rites of Islam. Family and friends eulogized the principal as a humble person.

“It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Mohammed Khamis principal Tononoka secondary, after a short illness. We will lay the body to rest today at 3 pm at Kikowani Cemetery. May his soul RIP. Inshallah,” read a post on social media.

Education officials suspended operations at Tononoka Secondary School to allow for fumigation.

According to Mombasa County Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo, 11 teachers from the principal’s institution and four others from Mama Ngina High School tested positive for the virus.

Kitiyo said samples of the rest of the staff from Tononoka Secondary School are undergoing testing.

Learning is still ongoing at Mama Ngina High School, despite the reported cases.

Mombasa County Public Health Chief Paul Oginga said it was the management of the Star of the Sea School that requested samples to be tested.

Education CS George Magoha warned school against further reopening after the government recorded 931 cases of new COVID-19 cases on Sunday.

The government is yet to allow reopening for the other grades in all schools.         

“The government has not allowed for the further reopening of the other learners in private, public, or international schools. The cabinet has not done considerations on the same. If we get to it, we will inform the nation,” said Prof George Magoha.