Man dies, three others hospitalised after consuming herbs

A 30-year-old man died after he consumed a herbal medicine being hawked by a man claiming to be a herbalist in Buruburu area, Nairobi.

Harrison Maina and three other colleagues had been approached by a man who was hawking a concoction of herbs saying it could cure their stomach upsets.

But after taking it, they started to experience pain and sought help from their boss. The four work for a hotel in Buruburu.

The owner of the hotel rushed them to Mama Lucy Hospital where Maina was pronounced dead on arrival while the other three are undergoing treatment.

Buruburu police boss Adamson Bungei said they are investigating the incident.

“These chemicals are unregulated but they are apparently popular among unsuspecting consumers,” he said.

He said they are looking for the hawker behind the incident.

Such concoctions are freely hawked in major towns by people masquerading as herbalists. The herbalists claim the chemicals they hawk can among others cure stomach complications, fertility issues, and skin diseases.

Officials warn the concoctions are harmful.