Four injured in chang'aa distillery explosion

Four people are receiving treatment at Kericho County Hospital after suffering burns in an explosion at a clandestine chang’aa distillery in Ngirimoiri Village, Kipkelion West constituency.

Joel Tanui, the Nursing Services Manager at Kericho County Hospital, said the victims – three women and one man – sustained varying degrees of burns following the incident, which occurred near a riverbank where the illicit brewing was taking place.

“One of the male patients and a female victim sustained 32 per cent body burns. The other two victims had less than 10 per cent burns. All are in stable condition,” he said.

Tonui explained that they administered fluid management and saline baths and the patients continue to receive treatment.

One of the victims, Mercy Cherono, recounted moments before the explosion. 

“I had just gone to the riverbank where the chang’aa is brewed when the drum exploded and splashed hot liquid on us,” she said.

Ruth Wachuka, a neighbor who witnessed the incident, said the victims were stacking firewood and warming themselves at the fireplace when the explosion happened. 

She raised concern about the continued brewing of chang’aa in the area.

“It is an open secret that this illicit activity goes on here, yet the authorities have turned a blind eye. We urge the government to take firm action because this illegal alcohol is destroying the lives of our youth,” said Wachuka.

Kericho County Police Commander James Negatich said investigations have been launched into the incident and illicit brewing.

“The suspects have been engaging in chang’aa brewing in secrecy. We are now investigating the matter, and appropriate legal action will follow,” he said.