One person has died and two others are currently admitted at the Narok County Referral Hospital following a suspected case of chemical poisoning linked to herbicide use on a farm in Katakala area, Narok South Sub-County.
The deceased, a 32-year-old man identified as Phinehas Muturi, succumbed to chemical-related complications on Monday, at around 1:00 pm, just three hours after being admitted to the facility.
A police report filed on Thursday night, seen by Citizen Digital, indicated that Muturi was brought to the hospital alongside Peter Macharia, 36, who was also in critical condition.
Narok Central Sub-County Coordinator of Disease Surveillance and Response, Dennis Kipunel, who brought the incident to light, said that they both exhibited severe symptoms such as chest and throat pains, respiratory distress, yellowing of the eyes, and visible body corrosion, suspected to be from chemical exposure.
On Wednesday afternoon, another victim, Daniel Maina, 35, was admitted with similar symptoms, but is now in stable condition.
In a statement to authorities, Maina revealed that he, together with nine others, had been contracted to spray chemicals on a farm for about four days.
“According to Maina, last week on Tuesday, 15/04/2025, they were ten in number when they went to Katakala area within Narok South jurisdiction and sprayed unknown chemicals on a farm belonging to one Mr. Chirchir, while under the supervision of the farm manager, one Mr. Joseph (M/P 0728259298), until Friday, 18/05/2025, when they finished spraying,” the OB report stated.
Maina noted that symptoms began soon after, with skin irritation prompting him to seek initial treatment at Ereteti Dispensary. His condition, however, worsened, leading to his admission at the Narok County Referral Hospital, where he learned of the earlier cases and the fatality.
Narok South police have launched investigations to identify the substances and determine any lapses in safety protocols, even as the exact nature of the chemicals involved remains unknown.
