Six people have lost their lives, and five others have been struck by blindness after consuming illicit brew in Kangai village, Kirinyaga County.

Videos circulating show residents surrounding the five affected individuals. 

Addressing people who had gathered around the victims, Kirinyaga Health CEC George Karoki said the symptoms strongly suggested the presence of ethanol in the bootleg alcohol.

"The type of symptoms and signs that are very exhibiting themselves from these particular patients have shown that they were having blurred vision, they could not see well," Karoki stated.

"We suspect this illicit brew had ethanol because of the signs and symptoms that they exhibited; it showed that they had blurred vision and could not see well," Karoki told the members of the Forth Estate.

Adding;

"This type of chemical can cause liver cirrhosis and other nervous system problems, including that sign where they cannot see well."

Karoki noted that one of the victims who was already sick died after being rushed to the hospital.

"There was a case that was referred to Kerugoya County referral hospital, but it could not be managed, and we have reported that that patient died on arrival at the facility."