Six reported dead, several go blind after taking illicit brew in Kirinyaga

Six people have reportedly died and five others gone blind after allegedly consuming illicit liquor in Kirinyaga.

Kirinyaga Health CEC George Karoki said from the kind of symptoms being exhibited by the victims, it appears the illicit brew contained ethanol.

"The type of symptoms and signs that are very exhibiting themselves from these particular patients have shown that they were having blurred vision, they could not see well," he said.

The actual number of fatalities was yet to be confirmed.

Ethanol can immediately damage the nervous system, including the eye nerves, upon consumption.

Initially, it causes inflammation followed by the death of nervous system tissue which can cause blindness and lead to death. 

Karoki added that the chemical also has propensity to cause liver cirrhosis, the permanent scarring that damages liver and interferes with its functioning.

"It can even cause other nervous system problems and that is why sometimes they come up with that kind of a sign where they cannot be able to see well," he said.

Mwea East Deputy County Commissioner Teresiah Wanjiku within whose jurisdiction the incident occurred said illegal trade in ethanol-laced brews have been reported in the area.

She said they have taken over 10 cases to court.

"Most of the cases have not been successful especially the case on ethanol which we confiscated in a homestead and we were told to produce the apparatus for the manufacturers and I don't know which ones are expected for that case because ethanol you just mix with water and that's all," the DCC said.

Wanjiku cited frustration in trying to prosecute the cases saying they are planning to move the cases to a court in Wang'uru.

In May 2023, two people went blind in Kirinyaga after consuming illicit liquor.

Authorities said the two lost their sight after consuming the brew towards the end of March 2023.