Africa-Press – Kenya. Two people have died while eighteen others are receiving treatment at Marimanti Level 4 hospital, in Tharaka South, Tharaka Nithi County after eating poisonous wild honey.
The victims all from Rukaani village started complaining of stomachaches and diarrhoea a few hours after eating wild honey extracted from logs of a tree.
Area sub-county police commander Gabriel Kimanzi Mwangangi confirmed the incident and appealed to the Tharaka community to be extra cautious about consuming wild honey or fruits
“I pass my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I plead with the people to desist from eating such honey. Parents must take charge of their children, watch their movements and ensure whatever they eat is healthy,” Mwangangi said.
Godfrey Njagi Kirugi, the owner of the tree who also fell victim after tasting the honey but immediately rushed to buy milk that helped him overcome stomachache said his cousin’s child died.
“No one realized the tree had natural honey on its logs only for curious children to notice it and ate. I had a taste of the honey but immediately went and bought milk for sake of my health because I had a stomachache.”
“This is Nchura kind of honey. It was dark in colour. ealders later told us it was very old and not healthy, the reason it turned poisonous,” he said.
Marimanti lever 4 nursing manager Stephen Kamanja said one person was discharged while eighteen others are in stable condition at the facility.
“We were told some people died early January after consuming wild honey and it seems such cases are on the increase. We had nineteen victims, a child died while undergoing treatment but the rest are all in stable condition and no need for alarm. Two have died. I ask our community to stop consuming wild honey,” he said.
The officer added that they have taken samples to a government chemist for thorough analysis.
“I feel such cases are destroying the good image of sweetest Tharaka honey and its market,” he said.
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