At least one person died while at least 20 others were admitted to hospital after allegedly consuming an unknown substance believed to have been collected from containers used during an agricultural exhibition in Meru county.
According to police, the incident was reported at Kambakia in Imenti North Subcounty.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased, identified as Martin Muriiki, allegedly collected a residual substance from blue plastic drums that had been cut into halves for use as cattle feeding troughs during the 11th Annual Dairy Farmers’ Field Day held at the ASK Showground on July 25.
Police said Muriiki took the substance home and shared it with several other residents.
Authorities said 20 people believed to have consumed the same substance later presented themselves at Kambakia Police Station and were escorted to hospital for medical examination and treatment.
The deceased reportedly lost his eyesight on Friday morning before he was rushed to Nkubu Hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment.
Police recovered the suspected substance from the deceased’s brother, and secured it for laboratory analysis to determine its contents.
Police launched investigations into the incident as authorities await forensic results to establish the nature of the substance and the exact cause of death.
Police have classified the case as a suspected poisoning pending the outcome of investigations.
Meanwhile, police in Kisumu are investigating the death of a 41-year-old man who was found lifeless outside his house in Nyalenda.
The incident was reported at Nyalenda Police Station on Saturday at about 9:28 am after the deceased’s brother informed police that his sibling had been found unresponsive at his doorstep.
The deceased was identified as Wycliffe Odhiambo Arwa, 41.
According to preliminary investigations, Arwa arrived at his house at about 11 p.m. on Friday while appearing intoxicated, according to neighbours who saw him.
On Saturday at around 8 a.m., a neighbour discovered his body lying outside his door and alerted his brother, who confirmed the death before reporting the matter to police.
Police said preliminary information indicates that the deceased was a heavy smoker and drinker and had previously been diagnosed with kidney failure. He had reportedly been advised to stop smoking and drinking but did not follow the medical advice.
The body was moved to the Kisumu County Referral Hospital mortuary, where it awaits a post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
Police are continuing with investigations, although no foul play had been established at the time of the report.
