Revellers who patronised Kirinyaga bar urged to go for check-up

Kirinyaga County government has appealed to people who could have taken the illicit brew that has killed about 10 people in Kangai area to visit health facilities for check-ups.

Deputy Governor David Githanda said there could be more people suffering at home and asked residents to check on the well-being of relatives known to frequent California Bar.

The brew is suspected to have been laced with ethanol.

Githanda said six people had died on arrival or while being treated at the Kerugoya County Referral Hospital.

Majority of the deceased, he added, had been taken to health facilities while in critical condition.

About 20 cases were reported in local health facilities out of which four are still admitted in critical condition while 10 others have been discharged.

“We call upon those who could have consumed the illicit brew at this particular outlet to visit our medical facilities for examination and treatment,” he said.

He appealed to local traders to ensure they sell products that conform to standards set by the Kenya Bureau of Standards to protect consumers’ lives.

The deputy governor also noted that the county administration has reached out to families affected by the incident and is working with local leaders to assess the assistance needed.

He asked all stakeholders to work hand-in-hand to eliminate illicit brews saying the fight can only be won through a multi-agency approach.

“We take cognisance of the fact that no single government agency can eliminate illicit brews without working together with other agencies.”

The proprietor of the bar John Muriithi Karaya, has since been arraigned in court and will be detained at Kiamaciri police station until March 7, pending further investigations.