Toxic food deaths rises to four as police hold three

One more person has died after taking contaminated food in Baringo County.

This brings the death toll to four.

The increase in number comes at a time when a court in Baringo has allowed police officers to hold three suspects linked to the food poisoning for 14 days.

The prosecution had applied that they be allowed to hold Paul Kinyua, Evans Oyugi and Nelson Letite as they conclude investigations.

The three are alleged to have served githeri laced with poison to the victim’s people who were working at a farm in Ilchamus Ward, Baringo South on Friday last week.

The application by the police was allowed and were ordered to avail the suspect back to court on December 31, 2019.

Results of samples of food and vomit taken to the Government chemist are yet to be released.

The results will inform the next course of action on the suspects believed to be behind the poisoning.

Baringo Chief Officer of Health Dr. Gideon Toromo in a statement said the victims seemed to have inhaled poisons, insecticide or acaricides.

Toromo said their examination on the victims has revealed that the 17 who ate the food had features of organophosphate poisoning.

“We think the Githeri they ate was contaminated with pesticides and were treated for that,” said Toromo.

He said the organophosphate damage the kidneys and the heart and usually goes into the fat tissues.

He also advised that people should consider using protective gear and keep away pesticides from food stores.