Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) – At least 33 people died in Kenya on Monday night and Tuesday after drinking illegal liquor, government officials said on Tuesday.
Consumption of the adulterated drinks also left about 45 victims hospitalised with many gone blind.
Television footage showed victims writhing in pain in local hospitals in the eastern and central counties of Embu, Kitui and Kiambu.
In Kiambu County, which borders the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, nine people died. Local Police County Commander, James Mugera, said authorities were still looking for more victims.
John Mututho, chairman of the state-run National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and a former legislator, said the killer brews probably originated from the same batch.
Reacting to the tragedy, Embu County Commissioner Amos Gathecha fired a chief and his assistant following the death of 19 people after consuming the deadly brew.
Gathecha announced that he had fired Embu Municipality Chief Titus Mugambi and his assistant Catherine Wanja during a visit to Shauri Yako slums Tuesday where the illicit brew was being sold.
Fifty people have also been hospitalised after consuming the alcohol at a house in the slum.
