Strange disease kills eight people from one village in Kakamega County, 22 hospitalised

The Ministry of Health in Kakamega county is investigating a puzzling disease that has claimed the lives of 8 people from Isukha area in Shinyalu Constituency in less than a month.

According to the health department in the county, the eight victims who died while receiving treatment at the Kakamega County Referral Hospital, complained of excruciating arm pains. What is even more shocking is that all the victims were exhibiting the same symptoms and wound on the forearm.

Twenty-two others are reportedly admitted in hospital in critical condition.

A widow of one of the victims says she was left with more questions than answers when her husband developed the symptoms of the unknown disease on his left hand and passed on within no time.

“Bwana yangu alianza kuugua mkono na hiyo kidonda ilianzia kwa kidole…siku nne tatu hiyo kidonda ikaanza kusambaa,” says Clare Msanga.

Residents claim the victims started complaining of arm pains days after consuming illicit brew allegedly stolen from one of the dens in the village.

“Tunachunguza hawa watu wanakufa kwa nini…tukapata walikunywa pombe ya wenyewe,” says Sila Mukofu, a village elder.

One of the survivors, Patrick Ingosi, recounted: “Nilikuwa kwa pombe huko chini… kufika nyumbani kichwa ilikuwa inauma. Joto mwilini naskia nguvu inakwisha ata karibu niende.”

According to the county’s Ministry of Health, 22 people are in critical condition as investigations continue to determine the cause of the deaths.