Two people have been confirmed dead and five others admitted in hospital after allegedly consuming illitic brew in Igembe North, Meru county on November 5th.
According to preliminary reports, the seven were drinking at a local den when they began experiencing severe complications shortly after.
Residents rushed them to a nearby health facility, where two were pronounced dead on arrival, while the remaining five were referred for further treatment.
2 People Succumb, 5 Under Treatment Following Suspected Illicit Alcohol in Meru. Photo: Courtesy.
Confirming the incident, Meru County Commissioner Jacob Ouma stated that the five survivors are in critical condition and that authorities have since launched investigations to determine the source of the toxic brew and bring those responsible to justice.
As a result, he lashed out at local administrators, including assistant chiefs, chiefs, police officers, and the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), accusing them of failing in their duties to curb the sale of illicit alcohol in the area.
Consequently, he ordered the immediate transfer of all officers stationed at the nearby police post and directed that a new team be deployed to take over operations.
The commissioner moreover directed the police commander to lead investigations into the type of illicit brew taken by the victims.
This comes just months after the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen lifted the suspension of eight local administrators in Kirinyaga County, suspended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua last year, after 20 people died from alcohol poisoning in their localities.
