This archive report was first published on 19 November 2019.
Coca-Cola Faces Backlash in Kenya Over Contaminated Soda ¶
Just one week after the Kenya Bureau of Standards declared five maize brands unfit for human consumption, the government has confirmed that Coca-Cola's soft drink is contaminated.
According to the Director of Public Health, Kepha Ombacho, foreign bodies were found inside a bottle of soda that was taken for analysis in the government chemist following a complaint by a Funyula resident.
On Tuesday, November 19, 2019, Ombacho testified in a Busia court that the results showed foreign bodies were present in the soda.
"The complainant came to my office with a full unopened soda. I directed the soda be taken for analysis at the government chemist. The results showed that foreign bodies were present in the soda," Ombacho was quoted by The Standard.
58 Busia locals have sued the drinks manufacturer, Coca Cola, after they became ill on consuming the soft drink nine years ago.
They claimed to have suffered from acute abdominal pains, passage of loose motions, nausea and vomiting with general body weaknesses, according to medical examination documents presented in court.
The soda manufacturer failed in its bid to give each victim KSh 45,000 as compensation in an out of court settlement in 2018 as the victims declined the offer.
