Over 74 people in Igembe Central, Meru County are fighting for their lives in various hospitals after they consumed meat from a dead camel.
Women and children constituted the largest number of victims hospitalized at the Nyambene level Four and Maua hospital.
A section of the victims recounted that the Thursday, September 22, 2022, incident occurred after some villagers herding cattle in Maraene, Igembe central slaughtered the dead animal and shared the meat with unsuspecting residents.
"My children and I had not eaten for two days because of the acute drought we are experiencing. When we were told there was a dead camel in the bush, we happily rushed to get a share of the meat without thinking twice.
"After eating we all started vomiting and diarrhea. I found myself in the hospital together with my children” Damaris Kinya one of the victims recalled.
Speaking to K24 Digital Githu Wachira a doctor at Nyambene Hospital stated that the facility has received more than 74 patients who had consumed the meat in question.
“We have so far treated and admitted 74 patients majority being women and children suffering from food poisoning. The patients who were in critical condition experienced headaches, vomiting and diarrhea but doctors worked round the clock to save their lives," Wachira added.
