Drink kills one as four are taken ill

Police in Nyando are investigating an incident in which one man died while four others were hospitalised after they consumed an unknown substance.

The five are said to have stolen the substance they thought was alcohol from a lorry that had stalled around Masogo in Nyando Sub-county.

The deceased, Maurice Ouko, is said to have collapsed moments after consuming the substance.

Area Deputy Commissioner Eric Wanyonyi said the driver of the lorry had sought shelter at a nearby home where he spent the night after his vehicle got stuck in the mud. Yesterday, the police launched a manhunt for the driver after he reportedly drove away on hearing about the incident.

Mr Wanyonyi said some locals raided the lorry at night and drank the chemical, which they thought was alcohol.

After a search in the village, the police found 90 litres of the substance that, according to the deputy commissioner, have been taken to the Government Chemist for analysis.

He cautioned the public against drinking unknown substances.