A total of 21 residents from Cheborgei village in Kericho County are recuperating at Kapkatet Hospital after they consumed contaminated fermented milk popularly known Mursik in the local dialect.
Mursik is a traditional fermented milk variant by the Kalenjin community which is prepared in specially made seasoned milk gourds that are pre-treated with the smoke and charcoal of certain tree species before every use.
Speaking to Kenya News Agency, the Kapkatet Hospital Medical Supernatant Dr. Daniel Koech confirmed that among the patients admitted to the hospital were 11 children.
According to Dr. Koech, the patients were rushed to the health facility after consuming the milk and started complaining of abdominal pains, diarrhoea and vomiting, which he said were symptoms of acute food poisoning.
“Medics at Kapkatet Hospital are doing their best to ensure that the patients are well attended to following the incident. They have all been tested and are currently being closely monitored,” he said.
The Medical Superintendent further said that the Public Health Officers had been dispatched to Cheborgei village for further investigations in order to contain the situation.
“The Public Health Officers will also take samples of the Mursik for testing to ascertain what exactly could have caused the incident. The 21 patients are however in stable condition” added Dr. Koech.
The medical superintendent has also urged members of the public to be careful and only consume hygienic foods and drinks so as to avert similar occurrences.
By Kibe Mburu
