The clip shared on social media showed girls dressed in uniform getting sprayed by a man who had mounted a knapsack sprayer commonly used for pest and disease control.
The unidentified school took the shocking steps despite the government banning spraying disinfectants or chemicals on people through booths or tunnels.
According to Ministry of Health Director-General Patrick Amoth, such spraying poses health risks and does not eliminate Covid-19.
In June, Dr Amoth said the chemicals are not designed for use on human bodies and could be dangerous for those with respiratory problems and allergies.
In the viral clip, the girls were sprayed with the chemical intended to disinfect them as the school’s measures to contain Covid-19 as had been directed by MoH as learning resumed.
I think Masks ,Social distancing and hand washing are just enough measures to mitigate the pandemic! #Covid19Ke pic.twitter.com/AOdMHT2KGV
— Raila Odinga Junior (@Railajunior) October 13, 2020
The education ministry ordered the re-opening of schools on Monday after a long break occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic that forced closure in March.
The ministry allowed learners in Grade 4, Standard 8 and Form 4 to report back to school for physical learning, as parents await communication on when other classes will resume.
The schools were reopened under tough measures to tame the virus, including social distancing in class, wearing face masks and having water at designated points for washing hands.
According to the World Health Organisation, spraying can be ineffective and that the chemicals are dangerous.
“This could be physically and psychologically harmful and would not reduce an infected person’s ability to spread the virus through droplets or contact,” says the document.
Spraying chlorine or other toxic chemicals on people can cause eye and skin irritation, bronchospasm and gastrointestinal effects, it adds.
WHO advises that if disinfectants are to be applied, this should be done with a cloth or wipe that has been soaked in disinfectant.
The chemicals that the countries are using can irritate the skin, eyes, nose and mouth and the respiratory tract.
Additionally, they can irritate the digestive tract, cause cancer, and can generate air pollution in the form of ozone.
A number of netizens reacted to the video by calling out the school for exposing the girls to inhumane treatment in the name of their disinfection.
Makes you wonder what they are teaching in that school, if they think this is right. ?
— T Waigwa (@Towaigwa) October 12, 2020
Being pondering on this video… Even dreamed about it!…. Anyway I came to a conclusion. I put the blame on the government and handshake.
— Benjamin Kiongo (@Benjamkenya) October 13, 2020
The CS MOE said confidently that they are well prepared for schools reopening…
But He doesn’t have a kid in any school in Kenya…so wapigwe dawa kama ng’ombe hajali— Gitau Moses (@GitauMosess) October 12, 2020
Whoever called for this deserves jail.
— Salim (@Juma_free) October 13, 2020
Agreed. Sheer stupidity. Is this what the CS education meant by being ready?
— Levy Wasike (@wasikelevy) October 13, 2020
We have turned our children to cattle. Wasn’t there an alternative way of sanitizing them…. This is what the ministry of education and the cs kept singing as preparedness….
— Mweu jr (@MweuGabriel) October 12, 2020
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