4 dead, 10 hospitalised after drinking spree goes wrong

Four people have died and ten others hospitalised after engaging in a tragic drinking spree. The 14 are reported to have consumed illicit poisonous liquor in Kamukunywa area, Bungoma County. According to witnesses, the four who succumbed; three ladies and one man took the drink on Tuesday after which they started complaining of stomach pains. The four; one of whom was the seller of the brew were rushed to hospital, but unfortunately succumbed. The remaining ten are currently receiving treatment even as police investigate what led to the tragic incident. The local administration has rolled out an operation to get all other people who drunk the liquor for testing before another tragedy ensues. The tragic incident comes at a time when the government has invested a lot of resources in fighting production and consumption of illicit brew in the country. [caption id="attachment_14902" align="alignnone" width="750"] File image of government officers disposing illicit brew. [Photo: Courtesy][/caption]In 2021, Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho announced that the state had rolled out an operation to flash out illicit brewers, adding that no one will be spared. He further noted that while the state is keen on fighting the vice, loopholes exist in the law, providing avenue for offenders to be cleared by courts if arrested. “Remember we have gaps in the law giving county governments the power to license bars, some have taken advantage of this to run illegal businesses. They are putting revenues first over the health of the people,” he stated.