Two people died after consuming contaminated githeri in Marigat, Baringo County on Saturday, December 14.
Six others were admitted at the intensive care unit at the Baringo County Referral Hospital, Kabarnet, Baringo County after eating the deadly meal.
In a report by The Standard, Baringo County Health executive, Mary Panaga stated that they received 17 patients from Marigat displaying symptoms of what they described as organophosphate poisoning.
The patients, she explained, complained of severe vomiting, dizziness, and painful stomach pains with eight of them appearing to be in critical condition.
Organophosphates are chemicals in insecticide used extensively in agriculture. When people, such as agricultural workers, are exposed to large quantities of organophosphates, these chemicals can be harmful.
Baringo County Commissioner, Henry Wafula advised farmers to look out for aflatoxin from storage areas that flooded. He cautioned farmers to be keen on not using the wrong chemicals to preserve maize.
According to one of the victims still in recovery, stated the 'githeri' had a significant number of floating weevils. The hospital claimed that vomit samples from citizens were collected and submitted to government laboratories in order for the food contents to be determined. The police authorities were alerted and investigations are currently ongoing
One of the two patients who passed away was a child whose father is requesting the government to assist them with better medical attention services and help ease the cost burden on the victims' relatives who were unfortunate to lose their loved ones.
Heath Executive, Mary Panaga conveyed that the treatment used was for organophosphate poisoning which did assist some patients to recover hence the suspicion of it being the cause, however, the matter is still inconclusive as not all victims responded well to the treatment.
