Two children die, 11 admitted after eating 'contaminated' githeri

Children at hospital

Some of the 11 children who have been hospitalised at Webuye Refferal Hospital, Kakamega County after eating githeri.


Photo credit: Jesse Chenge I Nation Media Group

Two children have died, and 11 others are admitted to Webuye Referral Hospital, Bungoma County, after eating 'contaminated' githeri.

According to the family, one child died on the spot, while another died on arrival at the hospital. The githeri, a mix of maize and beans cooked together, is said to have been prepared by the children's grandmother.

Dr Rainne Juma said the children, who are aged between one and 10 years, were admitted to the hospital with stomach upsets, diarrhoea and vomiting, but they are out of danger.  

The family says the grandmother prepared githeri for breakfast and ate it together with the children before she went to church. A little while later, she was called back home to mourn her two grandchildren.

Investigations have begun to ascertain what led to the deaths and suspected poisoning of the food.