By John Muthengi
Three people have died and four others hospitalised at Marimanti Sub-County Hospital in Tharaka Nithi after consuming poisonous local brew that was prepared using honey.
The three include 82-year-old John Kiruuthu who was found dead at his house in Muguruka village and Mr Victor Nkari, 72, who died as was being rushed to hospital by family members after complaining of stomach complications.
Reports indicate that Mr Nkari harvested the honey on Saturday and prepared the liquor which he took with the other victims including Mr Kiruuthu and Mr Miriti Kibayo who succumbed.
The hospital’s Medical Superintendent, Dr Andrew Njoroge said the four, who exhibited severe diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach aches, were in stable condition and were being treated for suspected food poisoning.
Tharaka South Sub-County Police Commander Kiprop Rutto said investigations were underway to establish the cause of the deaths and that samples of the remaining alcohol had been taken for analysis.
The ugly incident comes a day after a seven-year-old boy died and seven others admitted after eating contaminated honey.
