By Antynet Ford
Police officers in Mlolongo Machakos County have launched investigations into the contents of an illicit brew that was impounded in a saloon car.
The consignment of dozens of cartons of the brew was found by the police in an abandoned car at a petrol station in Athi River.
The driver of the car abandoned the vehicle after he sighted police presence
“Sixty-five unlabeled cartons each containing 20 bottles of 250m were recovered. The case is pending under investigation.” Police said in a statement.
This comes a few days after thirteen people died while four others were reported blind after they consumed the illicit liquor on Monday last week.
Residents responded by storming the bar on Wednesday, destroying property, and setting the building ablaze.
On Thursday, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) warned Kenyans against consuming brews whose quality cannot be verified.
“From preliminary reports, the deaths occurred as a result of consumption of an unidentified substance whose contents are yet to be established.” NACADA Chief Executive Anthony Omerikwa said in a statement.
Kirinyaga Health CEC George Karoki said from symptoms exhibited by the victims, the brew may have been laced with ethanol, an industrial chemical that can damage the nervous system, including the eye nerves, upon consumption.
A police officer who spoke to a local publication claimed the illicit brew had been stored as an exhibit at a police station but was sold on Sunday night by rogue officers.