63 churchgoers admitted after drinking contaminated mursik in Kericho

Police in Kipkelion East, Kericho County are investigating an incident where a religious celebration in Londiani nearly turned fatal, after churchgoers and those attending the party were taken ill.

At least 163 people, including children, were reportedly affected after consuming contaminated milk locally known as mursik in the Lel Sotet, Masaita, and Kabianga areas.

Collins Koech, pastor at the Church of Christ, said, “Tulianza kunywa Friday jioni. By saa sita usiku watu wakaanza kutapika. Yetu ilikua lita kumi, kanisa ingine yao ilikua 20 litres lakini hawakukunywa. Waliposkia tumekua wagonywa yao walimwaga.”

Hospital officials at the Londiani Sub County Hospital say the sick presented with vomiting and diarrhoea symptoms immediately after consuming the milk.

The milk was supplied by a well-known vendor from the village. 

“We received 176. Admission yesterday was 43 and today 20. The total number of inpatients is 63. They came with diarrhoea and vomiting. They added yeast to the fermented milk to make it ferment very quickly,” said Justus Mosera, a senior clinical officer at the hospital.

Hospital officials reported that this was not the first incident of food poisoning they had encountered, as they had treated a similar case just a few weeks ago.