At least one person has died and 20 others were admitted to hospital following consumption of a suspected toxic substance in Meru County.
The incident occurred in Kambakia, Imenti North Subcounty, where the deceased, Martin Muriiki, reportedly collected a residue from blue plastic drums repurposed as cattle feeding troughs during the 11th Annual Dairy Farmers’ Field Day held at ASK Showground on July 25.
Muriiki took the substance home and shared it with several residents. Subsequently, 20 individuals who consumed the same material sought medical help at Kambakia Police Station and were taken to hospital for treatment.
Martin Muriiki lost his eyesight on Friday morning before being rushed to Nkubu Hospital, where he later died while receiving care.
Authorities recovered the suspected toxic residue from the deceased’s brother and have secured it for laboratory analysis to determine its composition.
Police have opened investigations into the case, which is currently classified as suspected poisoning pending forensic results to establish the exact cause of death and nature of the substance.
