An expectant mother is fighting for her life at the Nakuru County Teaching and Referral Hospital after consuming illicit alcohol.
The now visually impaired expectant mother was amongst ten boozers who consumed the illicit brew that left five people dead and several others unconscious at the Kabatini area of Bahati sub-county.
While condoling with the families of the five on Wednesday, Governor Lee Kinyanjui said the woman was receiving specialized treatment after she went blind.
Speaking when he visited the survivors and toured Hodi Hodi village, he said the woman was transferred to the referral hospital after medics realized that she could not see. Another three survivors of the poisonous chang’aa are admitted at Bahati Subcounty Hospital with one of them still unconscious.
“It was unfortunate to see men under the influence of alcohol staggering on the road even after the incident. We have openly condemned the sale and consumption of illicit brew that leaves the youth unproductive and in some cases cause death,” said Kinyanjui.
He said efforts to curb the production and consumption of illicit liquor in the recent past were not bearing fruit because some law enforcers were in the business. The governor urged residents to be vigilant and expose those selling the lethal brew. Residents said deaths related to illicit liquor consumption were common in the area and urged the governor to ensure the trade stopped.
They said Monday’s incident attracted attention only because of the number of deaths. On Tuesday, Nakuru County Police Commander, Beatrice Kiraguri said samples from the victims will be used for testing to ascertain the actual cause of death.
