Five people from Isiolo County’s Oldonyoro and Kipsing were confirmed dead, and nine others were hospitalized, after consuming liquor bought at Rodongokwe market on the border of Isiolo and Samburu counties on Sunday.
According to Acting Isiolo Health Services Chief Officer Peter Ngechu, the deceased included three men and two women.
Mr. Ngechu stated that one died in Oldonyoro town, while the other four died in Kipsing town.
Six of those admitted to Kipsing Health Center have been treated and discharged, while three others have been referred to Isiolo Teaching and Referral Hospital.
According to reports, the Isiolo residents went to Rodongokwe market to sell their livestock before buying the drink and distributing it to both market centers.
Ngechu noted that this could have impacted the neighboring county because the commodity was sold in both areas.
Ngechu went on to say that they had seized a carton of the liquor, which would help with the investigation.
According to the health report, the county governor has ordered the surveillance team to comb the area to know whether there are some more who took the drink.
“The team got 2 samples of liquor. One mother who died owns a bar in Oldonyiro. She is said to be the one who distributed the liquor to one teacher who owns a bar at Longopito,” the report in part.
“The situation is under control. Surveillance, laboratory team and Public Health officers are still on the ground to collect more information.”
The samples were collected for a laboratory test to determine the chemical that may have caused the deaths.
Meanwhile, the chief officer has asked the public to be patient while the investigation is underway.
