Seven more die from toxic brew

Seven people among them two Moi University students died over the weekend at the Moi Teaching and Referal Hospital Eldoret (MTRH) after consuming a lethal brew.

Confirming the deaths, Deputy Director of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Dr Francis Ogaro said five more men are still admitted at the facility with three of them in critical condition.

“We received 12 patients on Friday but lost seven of them while two are still at the ICU. Three of them are admitted at the emergency ward,” said Dr Ogaro.

A local administrator now wants anybody who has consumed the liquor, branded as ‘Meakins’, to go the hospital for treatment.

The deaths brings the number of those killed in the region from consumption of toxic brew to 21.

Since Thursday, 13 people have died in Kabsabet and one person in Kiplombe.

According to one of the patients who is a third year media student at Moi University in Kesses, Paul Ong’esa, a friend bought the liquor at the bus termini and they consumed it in their rooms.

“We were supposed to go for a party but a friend brought the liquor and we started drinking it in one of our rooms,” said Mr Ong’esa.

Mr Ong’esa says he didn’t go to the party but instead went to sleep and he only found himself in the hospital.

MEMORY LOSS

“I went to bed after consuming the liquor and from there I don’t remember what transpired because I found myself in the hospital,” said Mr Ong’esa.

The student said that he has tried calling his friends who were drinking with him but their phones have been switched off.

The lethal brew had been consumed in Langas , Maili Nnne, Huruma and Kesses areas according to the County’s Chief Executive in charge of health Eunice Siria .

"We are urging all those who drunk this brew ‘Meakins’ in the affected areas and are still at home to immediately report to MTRH for post-exposure examination without any charges," said Dr Siria who confirmed the closure of two outlets in the town.

But the Moi University Students Organization MUSO Chairman George Bush accused some officials in the institution’s administration of being behind the protection of the unscrupulous alcohol suppliers around the institution frequented by the students.

‘We have tried to shut them down severally but they always come back, we know they have the protection of some officials who we are going to name them very soon,’ said George while confirming the deaths of some of the students.