Four residents die after drinking toxic brew
A resident of Muchatha village in Kiambu displays one of the brews 'Montello' alleged to have been consumed by four people who were found dead on September 19, 2011 morning. Photo/ERIC WAINAINA
What you need to know:
- Three others were admitted to Tigoni Hospital after they lost their sight
Four people died on Monday at Muchatha village in Banana, Kiambu, after drinking a toxic brew.
Three others were admitted to Tigoni Hospital after losing their sight. They drank the brew on Sunday at a local bar owned by a former administrator.
Ms Patricia Nyokabi, who lost her 40-year-old son Samuel Kamau said: “My daughter called me today (yesterday) and told me that Kamau was complaining of a sight problem and also abdominal pains. I decided to go and see him but when I arrived, he had already died.”
According to residents who stormed local bars and disposed of all brews in plastic containers, Mr Job Njoroge from Njoro village, Mr John Waiganjo from Nguruwe village and Ms Faith Wanja died after taking the toxic drinks.
“It’s only days after eight people died in Ruiru and 19 in Nyandarua. Three months ago, 10 people died here in Banana after taking the deadly brews. How many more people will the government wait to die in order to take action?” asked Mr James Wanjohi, a resident.
Administrators, led by area district commissioner Albert Kimathi, visited the area, promising to act.
Residents, however, accused them of laxity in the fight against illicit brews.
Elsewhere, former Cabinet minister G.G. Kariuki accused police officers of sleeping on the job. He said they were to blame for the deaths caused by the drinks.( READ: 20 more are dead in Kenya’s week of tears)
Mr Kariuki said most of the law enforcement officers turned a blind eye on brewers and sellers of the drinks after receiving bribes. He was speaking at Kiamana village in Nyahururu District at the weekend. Nineteen people died in the area last week after consuming toxic brews.
“Why did the provincial administration have to wait for the presidential directive for them to swing into action and raid the beer dens? It shows that all along they knew where the brewers operated from but turned a blind eye since they work in cahoots with them after receiving bribes,” he said.
Reported by Eric Wainaina, Oliver Musembi and James Kariuki
