6 people dead in Kiambu due to lack of alcohol
Six people
have been confirmed dead in Kiambu as a result of withdrawal of alcohol intake
after the fight against illicit brews began. Kiambu County Director of Clinical
Services Jacob Toro said three people died while being treatment at a hospital
in Ruiru. Three others died at hospitals in Kihara and Tigoni.
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome occurs when an
alcoholic suddenly stops drinking or significantly reduces alcohol intake.
Kiambu
Governor William Kabogo said the six dead were among 18 patients who were taken
to hospitals since Wednesday.
“Work is in
progress to save the lives of the people admitted in other hospitals,” he said
in Thika after destroying illicit brews at the Kang’oki dumpsite.
County
officials seized the brews manufactured by Vinepack Ltd in cartoons and crates
at go-downs in Thika’s industrial area on Wednesday night.
Mr Kabogo
said his administration would only issue licences to breweries that have been
cleared by the Kenya Bureau of Standards.
Dr Toro said
rehabilitation centres have been set up for alcohol addicts. He said people
with acute withdrawal symptoms can ask for help using hotline number
0711264000.
The symptoms
for alcohol withdrawal syndrome include shaking, sweating, delusions,
confusion, aggressiveness, fever, fits and convulsions.
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