Officials warn against hawking milk

Health authorities in Kericho have cautioned residents against buying milk from unlicensed vendors.

This follows an incident where a 12-year-old boy died and 22 other people hospitalised after consuming fermented milk suspected to have been contaminated.

Kericho County Chief Officer of Health Shadrack Mutai confirmed that at least 22 people were taken ill in Kolongei and Tangururwet, Bureti, in Kericho County after taking traditionally fermented milk otherwise known as mursik.

“We are calling for further regulation of the milk sector to protect consumers. The health department will work with the veterinary department and the Kenya Dairy Board to ensure milk people is safe,” he said.

The deceased, Kenneth Kipng’etich, died on Saturday while receiving treatment at the Kapkatet District Hospital. He complained of stomach pains and had severe diarrhoea after taking the milk.

On Saturday, doctors said those still admitted exhibited signs of severe dehydration. The victims are said to have bought the milk from a vendor in Sosit on Friday.

TESTS

Dr Mutai said they have sent samples of the milk to the government chemist in Nairobi for tests.

“We suspect some chemicals may have been introduced into the milk to act as preservatives but we will only establish this after tests,” he said.

The dairy board’s South Rift Manager Hillary Pacho blamed it on unhygienic manner in which vendors handle the milk.

“Hawking milk, including mursik is illegal. Vendors are therefore warned against engaging in the business without meeting the required health standards or getting requisite licenses from the board,” he said.

Kapkatet District Hospital’s Emergency Unit Chief Clinical Officer Edison Bii said the victims appear to have suffered from food poisoning.

“They are vomiting, have fever and diarrhoea, symptoms associated with food poisoning,” he said..

Bureti police boss Ali Abdullah said they are working with health officials to establish the cause of death.