Isiolo County has in the recent past faced a major hurdle involving the sale of counterfeit alcoholic beverages which has allegedly led to the loss of lives of fourteen people.
Seven victims are said to be from Isiolo County and the other seven from the neighbouring Samburu County.
Speaking at Isiolo County Police Headquarters, the Sub County Police Commander Cpt. Collins Sainna stated that an emergency meeting was convened to create a multi-agency team to spearhead a crackdown of the illegal business.
Cpt. Sainna confirmed the team has closed down 56 wines and spirit shops within the central business district to help in regulating the licensing of the liquor business.
Some 23 cartons of the illicit alcohol by the names Trace and Smart vodka which are disastrous to human health are said to be in distribution but the team has so far confiscated nine cartons with 14 still missing within the Kipsing and Oldonyiro areas.
Health officers are on high alert after a person who had consumed one bottle of the alcohol was taken to the Isiolo County General Hospital, has sadly lost his eyesight. He is said to have been in possession of one whole carton.
The main symptoms after consuming the brew are dizziness which affects vision and epigastric pain due to ethanol content.
The county assembly has been tasked to fast track the tabling and passing of the alcohol bill to control the sales of counterfeit goods. Two suspects have already been arrested and are helping in the investigations of tracking the place of origin of the uncertified alcohol.
Members of the public are being urged to aid the surveillance team to track down the 14 cartons that are still missing.
By Parklea Ivor
