BY LAWRENCE ALURU
Siaya, Kenya: Jesica Got could not hold back her emotions when she recalled how her three daughters died after a meal of cassava in Jina Uyoma in Gem, Siaya County.
Esther Achieng, Jacqueline Akoth and Violet Auma died on Friday night after eating a poisonous cassava breed which was the only meal of the day. They were aged between two and six years.
Three others Joyce Atieno 20, her daughter Nicole Atieno 2, Caroline Adhiambo 12 and Rebecca Awuor were admitted to Sagam Community hospital and are said to be in a stable condition.
"I do not know where to begin, this is very tragic for me and my entire family”, the 40-year-old mother of eight said.
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The six are said to have eaten the cassava in the absence of their parents after their elder sister Atieno prepared the meal.
According to the area assistant chief Charles Yinda, their mother had gone to Luanda market while their father George Got was at his jua kali work station in the same town.
Akoth died at home while Auma died on arrival at the hospital where they had all been rushed to for treatment after complaining of severe stomach pains.
Achieng who was referred to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Referral Hospital in Kisumu was pronounced dead on arrival.
Yinda explained that the victims fetched the cassava from their farm which they cooked for late lunch because they had no other meal.
“They immediately started complaining of stomach pains prompting them to raise alarm that alerted neighbors who responded swiftly to their distress calls and also informed their parents,” Mr Yinda said.
The chief said that samples of the cassava they had eaten were collected and taken to the Government Chemist for analysis.
He warned area residents to be careful on the variety of cassava they consume to prevent similar tragic incidents.
Gem Sub-County OCPD Peter Musyoki said the four who survived are still undergoing treatment at Sagam community hospital.
The police boss said the bodies of the deceased have been moved to Yala sub-district hospital awaiting post-mortem.
