Four people have been confirmed dead and seven others are receiving treatment after consuming a local brew known as ‘kaluvu’ in Kyuso, Mwingi North, Kitui County.
The victims reportedly consumed the brew from a local seller, but authorities suspect that the liquor may have been poisoned during fermentation.
Survivors of the incident, who are currently being treated at Mwingi Level 4 Hospital after being referred from Kyuso Level 4 Hospital, described experiencing severe symptoms including fever, stomachache, vomiting, and diarrhoea shortly after consuming the drink.
The owner of the drinking establishment is also admitted to the same hospital.
Area Chief Kasyoka Kilonzi confirmed the incident and noted that the brew was stored in drums hidden in a thicket to evade detection by security officers during fermentation.
This secrecy has led authorities to suspect that the drink may have been contaminated with poison.
The bodies of the deceased have been transferred to the mortuary at Mwingi Level 4 Hospital for examination.
The cause of the contamination is still under investigation, and authorities are working to determine whether foul play was involved.
