Four people have died in Thika after consuming alcoholic drinks suspected to be laced with a poisonous substance.
At least five others were admitted to Thika Level Five Hospital on Tuesday night, two of them in critical condition, following the incident at Kiandutu slum.
According to villagers, three of the victims died before they were taken to hospital, but authorities there could only confirm one death on admission.
“Out of the seven people who were brought to hospital, one died and another one sneaked out. Five others are undergoing treatment and observation the medical superintendent Dr Andrew Toro said.
Survivors said they bought the drinks from boda boda operators who collected the stuff on the roadside near Blue Post Hotel and took it to Kiandutu where they sold at throw away prices.
The drinks were parked in eight cartons labelled Blue Ice, Napoleon and Meakins and it was not clear where it originated from.