This archive report was first published on 11 July 2021.
On Sunday, July 11, a tragic incident occurred in Nyahururu, where one person lost their life and nine others were hospitalized after consuming suspected poisonous cheap liquor.
According to reports, the victims had taken the brew at a wine and spirit joint near the market and were rushed to the hospital after collapsing due to complications.
Dr. Joseph Mugoi, the Laikipia County chief officer for health, appealed to anyone who had consumed alcohol from any joint near the market to come to the hospital for a check-up, assuring them that it would not result in their arrest.
Dr. Felix Masongo, who attended to the victims at the Nyahururu County hospital emergency section, stated that the dead person was brought to the hospital when they were already deceased.
He added that the rest of the victims received emergency attention to stabilize them, with four being discharged and five admitted to the ward.
Dr. Masongo also revealed that samples taken from the admitted patients showed high levels of ethanol content in the drinks they had consumed.
As the victims received treatment, scenes of drama unfolded outside the hospital, with some trying to flee after regaining some strength, only to be chased and captured by members of the public.
Police and public health officers were mobilized to mop up all drinks suspected to have caused the victims to fall sick, with Nyahururu Sub County Police Commander, Mary Kiema, and The Nyahururu police station OCS, Mary Wairimu, visiting the hospital but leaving without addressing the press.
