70 people hospitalised after drinking contaminated milk during a church graduation ceremony
More than 70 people from Kabianga and Masaita villages in Londiani East Constituency have been admitted to Londiani sub-county Hospital after consuming mursik during a church graduation ceremony
More than 70 people from Kabianga and Masaita villages in Londiani East Constituency have been admitted to Londiani sub-county Hospital after consuming mursik during a church graduation ceremony.
Mursik is a fermented milk drink that is a significant part of the Kalenjin people’s culture in Kenya. It is made from cow or goat milk and is fermented in a calabash gourd called sotet.
The affected individuals, including 12 children, suffered severe vomiting and diarrhoea after drinking mursik.
Mr Wesley Korir, the director of Kericho School of Preaching, where the graduation ceremony was being held, said that they had bought the milk on Friday from a vendor before the event and were expecting more than 20 visitors.
The milk vendor has since gone underground after learning police were looking for her to record a statement.
“We went to the village to find fermented milk, and fortunately, we got it just before the ceremony,” Mr Korir said.
However, a few hours later, many attendees began experiencing stomachaches, with some vomiting and having diarrhoea simultaneously.
Doctors at Londiani sub-County Hospital had a hectic time treating admitted victims on Friday.
At least 12 children were also admitted, including three from the same family, and were immediately put on drip to save their lives.
Doctors at the hospital said the victims’ conditions were gradually improving as they continued to receive treatment.
One of the victims, Paul Korir, said he began vomiting and having diarrhoea shortly after drinking the milk and was forced to seek medical attention.
He was shocked by the quality of the milk, as the woman who sold it had been in business for a long time.
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Ms Betty Kirui, a mother of six, said her two children were severely affected and were also admitted in serious condition.
“I thank God my other four children were in school and could have suffered the same fate,” she added.
“My husband and I were unlucky. I thought the milk was safe to consume, but now I’m too weak to even walk, and I’m worried about my children’s condition,” Ms Kirui said.
Ms Morine Chepkoech, a nurse at the hospital, noted that children were the most severely affected, with some suffering from extreme dehydration.
She urged residents to exercise caution when consuming food and drinks at public events, as this is not the first incident in the area.
Police and local health authorities have launched an investigation into the matter.
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