One person has died and nine others admitted to the hospital in Nyahururu after allegedly drinking suspected poisonous alcohol on Sunday, July 11.
It is suspected that the people bought the deadly drink from a local wine and spirits shop within the town.
“We appeal to anybody who drunk alcohol from any joint near the market to come to the hospital for check-up. I assure them that does not mean they will be arrested if they come to the hospital, it is for their safety,” Dr Joseph Mugoi, the Laikipia County health officer said.
Dr Felix Masongo who attended to the victims at the Nyahururu County hospital emergency section said the dead person was brought to the hospital when he was already dead.
“We gave the rest emergency attention to stablilize them. We have discharged four, five have been admitted in the ward. Unfortunately, one person succumbed to the effects of the alcohol,” Dr Masongo stated.
He said samples taken for those admitted showed they took drinks with high content of ethanol than normal.
All those brought were immediately put on drips and the emergency casualty section as relatives and friends of the victims jostled outside the facility to know the fate of their kin.
There were scenes of drama as some of the victims tried to flee from the hospital after regaining some strength. One was chased by members of the public and captured out the gate and taken back.
The dash appeared to have drained energy from the man and could not walk on his own again. He had to be carried by four men back to his bed at the casualty.
Dr Mugoi said police and public health officers had been mobilized to mop up all drinks suspected to have caused the victims to fall sick.
Nyahururu Sub County Police Commander, Mary Kiema and The Nyahururu police station OCS, Mary Wairimu visited the hospital but left without addressing the press.
