The Mountain Journal
A family in Komo Village has suffered a double tragedy as two brothers die in a span of 48 hours of what is suspected to be Cholera in Thika Town constituency, Kiambu County this week.
Stephen Njoroge, 50, died at the waiting bay at Thika Level Five Hospital on Tuesday after he was rushed to receive treatment following a severe diarrhea and vomiting.
His brother Francis Karanja, 42, died a day after at the same facility where he was admitted after his condition worsened.
According to the family, the two are suspected to have fed on mudfish that were caught on contaminated Komo River last weekend.
The public health teams on instruction from Governor Kimani Wamatangi office have been visiting places educating the public on ob serving hygiene among other requirements.
They were first taken to Munyu health centre before they were referred Thika hospital for specialized treatment where they succumbed to the disease.
Villagers at Komo village have heavily criticized the Thika Water and Sewerage Company (THIWASCO) for allegedly discharging raw sewer into the Komo River, putting their lives in great danger.
In a spot check, the villagers said the color of the water at Komo River has turned relatively black and the flow of the black fluid is producing a foul smell and white foam down the stream which the residents suspect that it is caused by raw sewer.
“THIWASCO allows raw sewer to flow in this river, when it rains, people come to catch fish from this river and they sell them to traders at Komo and Munyu shopping centres who then fry and sell them at a very cheap prices,” said Tabitha Gathoni.
Cholera outbreak in Kiambu County was announced a month ago, and Governor blamed by the public for not taking serious measures to curb the spread of the deadly disease.
Komo residents have called on the governor to order public health officers to move with speed in stopping the spread of the waterborne disease in the county.
