Over 100 Hospitalized After Eating Suspected Contaminated Meat At Church Event In Kirinyaga

Over 100 worshippers from ACK Mukandu-ini Church in Kanyekiine Ward, Kirinyaga County, have been hospitalized after reportedly consuming contaminated beef during a church celebration on Sunday.

According to county public health officials, the affected individuals are being treated at both public hospitals in the county and private facilities in Kagio and Kerugoya.

Jefithah Mutemi, one of the affected congregants currently receiving treatment at Kiaga Health Centre, recalled that the church community had slaughtered a bull for the Sunday feast. Symptoms began appearing the next day.

“I brought my wife and two grandchildren here because we all started feeling unwell after eating the meat,” Mutemi said.

Another worshipper, Saran Njiraini, said she experienced severe headaches and weakness, while all her children suffered from diarrhea.

“I rushed them to hospital, and fortunately, they are now in stable condition,” she noted.

Moses Nyaga, also affected, expressed confusion over the incident, noting that the meat had reportedly been inspected by a local veterinary officer.

“We’ve been advised by public health officers to inform everyone who ate the meat to visit the nearest health facility. That’s why I came to Kagio Nursing Home,” he said.

By Tuesday evening, more than 40 church members had sought medical care at Kiaga Health Centre, with some in visible distress.

Public health officials responded promptly, deploying ambulances to transfer three seriously ill individuals to Kerugoya County Referral Hospital.

While many suspect the bull may have been unwell, others believe the maize flour used to prepare ugali during the feast could be the culprit.

Phillis Nyaga, a congregant, raised concerns about possible aflatoxin contamination.

“The maize was from the church’s stock. We milled it locally to make ugali. I’m now wondering whether it had been contaminated,” she said.

Kirinyaga Deputy Public Health Officer Peter Irungu confirmed that investigations are ongoing and emphasized that everyone who consumed the meat should seek immediate medical attention.