Poisonous moonshine kills 21 in Kenya

NAIROBI - At least 21 Kenyans died after drinking an illegally prepared alcoholic drink probably containing poisonous methanol, medics and witnesses said.

The victims took the locally brewed liquor at a bar in the village of Makutano, about 50km south of Nairobi, and fell ill within hours.

District medical officer Wako Dulacha told Reuters that by the following afternoon, 21 people had died. A further 36 -- looking confused and in pain -- were being treated in hospital, he said.

Of those in hospital, 10 had lost their sight and eight more were in serious condition.

"We suspect there was methanol," Dulacha said.

"Samples of the drink will be taken to the government chemists in Nairobi tomorrow to confirm the actual contents."

Patient Mwoka Musimi, 30, described how he took one drink that night and woke up feeling awful.

"A friend took me to a drinking den yesterday. As normal, we ordered drinks. But immediately after drinking, my friend and I left for home," he told Reuters from hospital.

"This morning when I woke up, I nearly died. I just lost my consciousness. My wife took me to hospital...I'm lucky that I didn't lose my sight or die like my friends."

He said he suspected suppliers had added an illegal substance to a spirit drink that locals had previously been taking without any problem.

Illicit drinking dens selling strong, homemade brews known locally as chang'aa, are common across Kenya.

There have been sporadic outbreaks of poisoning among chang'aa drinkers in recent years, with more than 100 dying after drinking a toxic batch in Nairobi in 2000.

- REUTERS