A farm worker died and two others are fighting for their lives at Narok County hospital after they suffered chemical poisoning associated with herbicides.
According to a police report, the three were among ten people who were spraying a farm at the Katakala area in Narok South Sub County using an unknown chemical while under the supervision of the farm manager.
They sprayed the farm for four days, from Tuesday April 15, 2025 to Friday April 18, 2025, and after finishing the job, their begun itching all over prompting them to seek medical attention in the nearby dispensary before they were referred to the Narok County Referral hospital.
Narok Central Sub County Coordinator of Disease Surveillance and Response, Denis Kipunel, said the bodies of the patients were corroded by the suspected toxic chemicals.
The patients also complained of chest and throat pains and exhibited other symptoms like yellow eyes and respiratory distress, and they were admitted in serious condition at the hospital immediately.
One of the patients said, “Before leaving the farm, my body started itching, forcing me to seek medication from the nearby Ereteti dispensary, where I was treated and discharged. But the pains continued and I was referred to the Narok Referral Hospital.”
Narok Central Assistant County Commissioner Ali Shakur said the police are conducting investigations to determine the kind of herbicide used on the farm.
By Ann Salaton
