Four residents of Ngirimoiri Village in Kipkelion West Constituency are currently receiving treatment at Kericho County Hospital after suffering burns from an explosion at an illegal chang'aa distillery.
Joel Tanui, the Nursing Services Manager at Kericho County Hospital, confirmed that the victims, three women and one man, sustained varying degrees of burns during 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, while the other two victims had burns covering less than 10 per cent of their bodies. All are in stable condition," he stated.
Tanui added that upon their arrival at the hospital, the patients were given fluid management and saline baths, and they continue to receive appropriate treatment.
Mercy Cherono, one of the victims, described 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."
Ruth Wachuka, a neighbour who witnessed the aftermath, stated that the victims were stacking firewood and warming themselves at a fireplace when the explosion occurred.
She expressed concerns about the ongoing chang'aa brewing in the area.
"It is an open secret that this illicit activity continues 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," Wachuka said.
Kericho County Police Commander James Negatich confirmed that investigations into this incident and the broader illicit brewing operations have been initiated.
"The suspects have been engaging in chang'aa brewing in secrecy. We are now investigating the matter, and appropriate legal action will follow," he stated.
