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More than 25 people in the Central region and surrounding areas have died and scores more hospitalised or blinded by illicit alcohol since the beginning of the year.

On Monday, four people were reported dead and seven others were hospitalised after consuming toxic liquor in Kyuso ward, Mwingi North in Kitui County.

Recounting his ordeal, one survivor said he and his drinking friends bought the alcohol from a vendor they know but they suspect it could have been laced with poison.

Vendor sickened

Seven survivors, including the vendor, said they were rushed to hospital after developing a severe fever, stomachache, vomiting and diarrhoea from drinking the brew.

The patients were receiving treatment at Mwingi Level 4 Hospital, while the bodies of the four who succumbed were taken to the hospital’s mortuary.

In another case reported earlier this year, at least 20 people were confirmed dead, more than 10 temporarily blinded, and several others hospitalised after consuming illicit alcohol in Kirinyaga County.

Sold by police

It was reported that 17 people died in the first week, five at home, and the others in hospitals.

The three others succumbed almost 10 days later, raising the toll to 20.

Investigations into the deaths revealed that the toxic liquor had been confiscated and kept at a local police station as evidence. Some officers allegedly sold it to a local businessman for Sh20,000.

Some of it was consumed at a bar in Kandongu village, where some drinkers suddenly developed complications such as loss of sight, before six died on the spot.

Ethanol poisoning

The symptoms, including blurred vision, were consistent with previous cases of ethanol consumption, claimed Kirinyaga executive for health George Karoki.

Victims who had lost their sight were given an antidote to ethanol poisoning, which restored their vision.

In their crackdown on illicit alcohol, drugs and psychotropic substances, the police have arrested over 12,443 people and closed 9,269 non-compliant establishments across the country.

In the Central region alone, there have been 4,484 raids.

The government has also declared an all-out war on producers, sellers and enablers of toxic liquor.