Four more die in Kitui brew tragedy
Four more people have died in Kitui following the consumption of a killer illicit brew on Monday. Among the dead are three primary school teachers and a secondary school deputy principal. PHOTO/PHOEBE OKALL.
What you need to know:
- The death toll at Kalitini village of Ikutha District rose to 10 people as county administrators came on spot for failing eradicate the sale of illicit brews.
- According to Ikutha Medical Officer of Health Lucia Jonah, the four died while undergoing treatment at Mutomo Mission Hospital.
- Kitui South MP Rachel Nyamai and Rev Joseph Musyoka Nzuki said corruption in the county administration ranks was to blame for the deaths.
Four more people succumbed to complications arising from the consumption of toxic brews in Kitui County as several others were reported to have lost their eye sight.
The death toll at Kalitini village of Ikutha District rose to 10 people as county administrators came on spot for failing eradicate the sale of illicit brews in the region, despite a stern directive by President Kenyatta in 2013.
According to Ikutha Medical Officer of Health Lucia Jonah, the four died while undergoing treatment at Mutomo Mission Hospital where they had been admitted. The other patients had been discharged.
TEACHERS AMONG DEAD
The dead include three primary school teachers and a secondary school deputy principal who gathered on Monday evening for a drink after schools opened for the second term.
“Several people including those who had been discharged after treatment have reported eye sight problems” Ms Jonah said.
The deaths prompted political and religious leaders in Kitui to question the commitment of county administrators in fighting illegal brews and drugs.
Kitui South MP Rachel Nyamai and Rev Joseph Musyoka Nzuki said corruption in the county administration ranks was to blame for the deaths as they were openly extorting bribes from brewers instead of arresting them.
Ms Nyamai said it was disappointing to note that three days after the tragedy, Kitui County Commissioner Moffat Kangi had not even visited the village to condole with the bereaved families.
Efforts to get Mr Kangi for comment were fruitless as his phone was out of reach.
NO ACTION ON BREWERS
“The sale of illicit brew continues under the watch of government security agencies and no action is taken against the brewers who often destroy the social fabric through family breakups, crime and other social evils” Ms Nyamai said.
The MP who spoke in Mutomo when she settled medical bills for the victims amounting Sh50,000 to allow their bodies to be released by the hospital urged the government to help families bury the dead.
Kitui Governor Dr Julius Malombe also urged chiefs, their assistants, security and public health officials in the county to remain vigilant and stop the importation, brewing and sale of illicit liquor.
