Meru School for the Mentally Handicapped has been placed on quarantine after two learners died from a suspected cholera outbreak.
The school management and other health authorities also confirmed that 16 others are under medication for cholera-related symptoms.
According to the county director of Education, Willy Machocho, a decision to close the school on Monday was thwarted by the health department.
Meru health department advised that closure would lead to a spread of the disease to communities outside the school.
"Currently, medical personnel have camped within the school to monitor the situation and ensure no further spread of the disease," Machocho said.
Kenya Red Cross Mt Kenya Region manager, Gitonga Mugambi attributed the outbreak to learners who may have been infected while on holiday from school.
He said the situation has been under watch since the beginning of this term and currently more than 120 pupils out of the possible 150 pupils in the school have had their studies affected.
North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood said officials are awaiting a report from the government chemist to confirm the cause of the illness.
He said the two pupils will be buried on Tuesday.
Officials from the county government however remained silent on the issue and denied there being any cases of cholera outbreak within Meru County.
Early this year, at least at Kunati and Igembe areas due to a similar cholera outbreak.
Twenty-four others in critical condition were hospitalised.