A middle-aged man is fighting for his life at Kerugoya Referral Hospital in Kirinyaga County following the consumption of illicit brew.

The man, who was first rushed to Kandongu dispensary in Mwea West sub-county before being transferred to the county referral hospital, is said to have lost his eyesight after consuming the drink on Friday morning at Kangai village.

Drama unfolded at the dispensary as angry residents milled around protesting against what they termed as laxity by the county government to combat the sale of illicit brew in the area.

Coincidentally, the incident unfolded as Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki held a crisis meeting in the area on how to combat the illicit alcohol menace in the area.

"How come they are selling deadly liquor while the Interior Cabinet Secretary is holding a meeting with the security team ten meters away," Jinaro Njamumo Mutithi Ward MCA posed.

Two people are reported to have died on Thursday evening after consuming suspected illicit alcohol at Kandongu village in Kirinyaga.

Over 20 people have died in Kangai and Kandongu after consuming the deadly liquor said to have been sold out of a police station in the area where it was being stored as exhibit.

Fifteen of the victims are set to be buried on Saturday.