The number of people admitted at Kapsabet county referral
hospital over the toxic drink in Nandi County increased to 43 people as
one more person died on Saturday.
The Nandi county government has cancelled licenses for all traders selling wines and spirits in the area.
The death toll has so far reached 13 amid fears that more could have died in their homes or in private hospitals.
Governor
Dr Cleophas Lagat visited the Kapsabet county referral hospital on
Saturday and came face to face with victims at who narrowly escarped
death after consuming the potent brew on Wednesday.
Dr Lagat said scores of people could have died in homes across the county and their deaths not reported.
The county government will foot the medical bills of all victims.
Most of those admitted at the hospital were from Lessos, Emak, Baraton, Kamobo and Kapnyeberai.
The
governor said he will ensure all bars and wines and spirit outlets that
sold the toxic brew are closed. Their licenses have since been revoked.
MASSIVE CRACKDOWN
“It’s
very sad that the county government has lost a banker, assistant chief
and a teacher. The government will conduct a massive crackdown and the
suspects will not be spared," he said.
Security
officials, he added, had arrested four suspected dealers who have
revealed vital leads on how the toxic brew was being imported from
Uganda.
The county government has also prepared a bill
expected to be passed by the county assembly this week in which those
found selling illegal brews will be fined sh10 million or 10 years in
jail.
A medical expert in alcoholic addition, Susan
Machoka, said victims who consumed the brew will have to stay at
hospital for the next two weeks for psychological counselling.
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