This archive report was first published on 14 December 2019.
On Friday evening, a suspected food poisoning incident occurred at a farm in Baringo, resulting in the deaths of three farm workers.
According to Baringo County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, Dr. Mary Panga, the three workers succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment at the Baringo Referral Hospital.
Dr. Panga stated that the case is being investigated by the police to determine the source of the food poisoning.
Police reports indicate that 25 casual workers were employed at a farm owned by Eric Omondi, where they were served a meal of githeri, a boiled mixture of maize and beans.
"A few minutes later, they developed stomachaches and began vomiting, and all were rushed to hospital immediately in critical condition," a police statement read.
Some of the affected workers are being treated at Marigat Sub-District Hospital, while others are receiving care at the Kabarnet district hospital.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the poisoning may have been caused by the presence of aflatoxin in the maize used in the githeri.
Baringo County Commissioner, Henry Wafula, stated that samples from the meal have been sent to the government chemist for further testing.
