A family in Mukothima Ward, Tharaka Nithi County, is mourning the death of a seven-year-old who passed away after the mother allegedly refused to admit him to hospital.
Confirming the incident, Gikingo Location Chief Jabob Mpuria suspected that the child died of food poisoning after eating poisonous honey.
He further revealed that four of his siblings were admitted at Kwamwari Mukothima Mission Hospital in critical condition.
He noted that the mother, who is suspected of having partaken in the meal, disappeared and a manhunt had been launched for her.
It is believed that the mother refused to take the children to hospital due to a faith, the Kabonokia religious sect, she subscribes to that does not support hospital treatment.
The honey in question had been harvested on the morning of Saturday, July 10.
“I learned of the incident in the morning and I have been informed that the honey that they took was harvested last evening,” he stated according to Nation.
A neighbour informed the authorities that Paul Muriungi, the father of the children, was away when the incident occurred.
It is believed that a number of people took the honey and have refused to go to hospital.
“Most of the residents of this village are members of the Kabonokia religious group and more people could have eaten the poisonous honey but are hiding to avoid being forced to go to the hospital,” noted the neighbour.
Kabonokia supporters believe that no one other than God can heal illnesses.
Witnesses noted that they found individuals praying for the children to be healed in their house in that village.
