Traders at Limuru Market in Kiambu County were thrown into panic on Tuesday evening after a swarm of bees descended on the area, attacking anyone in sight.
According to the traders, the day had begun like any other until chaos erupted as the bees invaded the busy marketplace.
The traders revealed that they incurred losses as customers were forced to stay away from the market during the tense situation.
"Everything was normal until we suddenly saw people running and screaming. It turned out the bees had arrived and were stinging everyone. We had to flee the market, but the bees still followed us," one trader recounted.
"I was going about my usual business when the swarm attacked me. I'm in pain, and this experience has really shaken my confidence. I don’t even know how I’ll face people when I get home," added another vendor.
The traders blamed the local government for its laxity in responding to the situation, which had the potential to cause serious health complications.
Last year, a burial ceremony in Huduruma Estate, Mwea, Kirinyaga County, on December 10, was momentarily halted after a swarm of bees attacked mourners.
The bizarre incident occurred as mourners were in the process of lowering the body of a 76-year-old woman into the grave.
In a similarly dramatic incident in November last year, motorists were forced to flee after bees invaded a matatu terminus in Nyeri County. The bees descended on a matatu that was about to ferry passengers to Nanyuki.
As the passengers were boarding the 14-seater matatu, they spotted a swarm of bees, a situation which immediately triggered commotion inside the vehicle.
The driver of the matatu quickly moved the vehicle away from the road in the hope that the bees would leave; however, to the surprise of many, the bees became more aggressive, stinging several people.
Medically, bee stings can trigger a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis, which can develop rapidly after the sting. The condition is marked by symptoms such as hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a rapid pulse, dizziness, and a sudden drop in blood pressure.
