Four hospitalised as changaa distillery apparatus blows up

Four people are hospitalised at Kericho County Referral Hospital following severe burns caused by the explosion of a chang’aa distillery.

Police said the incident happened in Ngirimori village in Kunyak Ward, Kipkelion West Constituency.

“They sustained severe burns caused by the explosion,” police told Citizen Digital.

According to victims Mercy Cherono and Irene Oduor, the chang’aa tank exploded while they were warming themselves by a fire due to the cold weather.

They recounted that they noticed a blaze from the distillation area and decided to approach it to warm up.

John Kariuki, whose brother was among the victims, revealed that the two were casual workers at the site.

Kariuki expressed concern over the rampant illicit brewing, noting that many young people have become addicted and are now unproductive.

Ruth Wacuka voiced her frustration over the ongoing illegal brew activities, which continue with the apparent acquiescence of security agencies.

She lamented that their repeated calls for action have gone unanswered.

Another resident, Stephen Mburu, accused local officials of being compromised by the illicit dealers.

Mburu claimed that the dealers pay protection fees to allow the business to persist and called on the government to intervene and put an end to the vice.

Nursing Services Manager at Kericho County Referral Hospital Joel Tanui reported that some victims sustained burns covering 32% of their bodies, while others had burns of less than 10%.

He said that the patients are in stable condition and are receiving appropriate treatment.