A Bungoma County man has recounted a frightening experience in which his family reportedly began preparing for his burial after he was taken to a mortuary. Pharell Simiyu survived the ordeal after medical staff reportedly discovered movement in his hand several hours later.
Simiyu's troubles began after he ate roasted meat purchased from a local trader. Within minutes, he developed severe abdominal pain, followed by repeated vomiting and rapidly worsening symptoms.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of meat sold at unusually low prices in his village. Simiyu suspects the meat may have been unsafe, although the precise cause of his illness remains unconfirmed.
Cheap Meat Preceded Sudden Illness
According to Simiyu's account, some local traders had been selling beef at prices significantly below the usual market rate. While a kilogram normally cost approximately KSh400, the traders reportedly offered it for about KSh200.
The meat was allegedly sourced from cattle belonging to wealthy owners, with some animals reportedly slaughtered without permission. These allegations have not been independently verified, and it remains unclear whether the meat Simiyu consumed came from such an animal.
The attractive prices drew several buyers, including members of Simiyu's family. They purchased roasted meat from a local trader and ate it without suspecting that it could be dangerous.
Simiyu said he began experiencing intense stomach pain between 10 and 20 minutes after eating. His condition deteriorated quickly, with persistent vomiting and extreme weakness followed by the passage of blood around midnight.
Family Struggles to Get Him to Hospital
As his condition worsened, relatives tried to find transport to take him for emergency medical attention. However, the family reportedly struggled to secure transport because motorcycles and telephones were not readily available in their area.
They eventually reached a nearby bus stage, where they waited for more than two hours before a matatu driver agreed to assist them. By the time Simiyu arrived at hospital, his condition was reportedly critical.
His skin had changed colour, his pulse was barely detectable, and he was severely dehydrated. Medical staff reportedly struggled to establish what had triggered the sudden illness despite their efforts to treat him.
Simiyu's condition continued to worsen until his limbs reportedly stopped responding. He was subsequently transferred to the mortuary, where he remained for nearly three hours.
Movement in His Hand Changes Everything
Back at home, Simiyu's relatives had reportedly been informed that he had died. His family began mourning and preparing for his burial, believing there was no hope of his recovery.
His mother was also reportedly suffering from diarrhoea, adding to the family's distress during the ordeal. Relatives continued making burial preparations while Simiyu remained in the mortuary.
The situation changed when someone checking the mortuary noticed slight movement in one of his hands. Medical staff were immediately alerted and rushed back to examine him.
The medical team reportedly confirmed that Simiyu was still alive and resumed treatment. He eventually recovered after the frightening experience that had left his family believing they had lost him.
Questions Remain Over Cause of Illness
Doctors reportedly suspected that the meat could have come from a cow that had received veterinary medication before dying. However, that explanation has not been independently confirmed, and no verified medical findings establishing the cause were provided in the account.
The incident highlights the importance of obtaining meat from reliable sources and ensuring animals are slaughtered through appropriate procedures. Consumers should be cautious when food products are sold at prices that appear unusually low, although low prices alone do not prove contamination.
Anyone experiencing severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bloody diarrhoea or rapid physical deterioration after eating should seek urgent medical attention. Simiyu's account serves as a reminder of how quickly a serious illness can develop and why prompt treatment matters.
