Man, 45, dies in Kakamega following a drinking competition, 2 hospitalised

KAKAMEGA, Kenya, Nov 2- A drinking competition over the weekend ended tragically, after a 45 year-old man died, according to police reports.

The man was facing off two others, who are currently receiving treatment at Kakamega Referral Hospital.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the three were drinking an illegal brew.

Shahidi News has established that the three men had converged at one of their home for merrymaking.

The incident happened in Shirere village, Kakamega County.

As the hours went by however, one of the men is said to have challenged his friends to a drinking competition, saying “that the last man left standing would be declared the victor.”

Area residents revealed that prior to the incident, they had earlier been spotted in the area center drinking at a bar.

“I was walking on the road when I noticed a body lying in the ditch. When I approached to check whether he was okay I realized he was dead,” a resident identified as Said, told Shahidi News.

The rest were found at the deceased’s home unconscious.

“The men were drinking the whole night, the one who died is said to have consumed three cups of the brew. The others only drank two cups each,” a neighbour said.

The village is said to be battling an increase in the number of “changaa” dens operating in the area.

Residents even say that some parents are using their children, taking advantage of the closure of schools, to sell the illegal brew.

“We know very well that these men bought the brew from a form three girl who fled from the scene. This is now becoming a bigger problem,” another resident said.

Residents further told Shahid News that despite reporting some of the people who are operating the changaa dens, they are allegedly released by police upon being apprehended for as little as Sh200 to Sh500.

The body of the deceased is being preserved at the Kakamega Referral hospital while the two others remain under treatment.