NAIROBI - At least 21 Kenyans died after drinking an illegally prepared alcoholic drink probably containing poisonous methanol, medics and witnesses said on Saturday.The victims took the locally brewed liquor on Friday evening at a bar in the village of Makutano, about 30 miles (50 km) south of Nairobi, and fell ill within hours. District medical officer Wako Dulacha told Reuters that by Saturday 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. âWe suspect there was methanol,â Dulacha said. âSamples of the drink will be taken to the government chemists in Nairobi tomorrow to confirm the actual contents.â