The screaming started shortly after dinner. In a modest tin shack in the Kayole estate of Naivasha, what was meant to be a routine evening meal turned into a scene of horror as a family of five began to convulse in unison. By the time the neighbors broke down the door, 10-year-old Mercy Wanjiku was already gasping her last breath.

The cause of death, according to preliminary police reports, was a poisoned pot of githeri—the mixture of maize and beans that serves as the caloric backbone for millions of struggling Kenyan families. While Mercy succumbed to the violent abdominal pains before reaching the Naivasha Sub-County Hospital, her three siblings and mother are currently fighting for their lives in the intensive care unit, hooked up to drips in a desperate bid to flush the toxins from their systems.

A Meal or a Weapon?

Local authorities suspect the tragedy may be linked to high levels of aflatoxin or pesticide residue in the maize used to prepare the meal. Neighbors reported that the family had purchased the grain from a local kiosk earlier that day at a "throwaway price," a common red flag for condemned grain that finds its way back into the food chain through unscrupulous cartels.

"They were happy to find maize selling at KSh 50 per tin," said Mary Nyambura, a neighbor who helped rush the victims to the hospital. "In these hard times, you don't ask why the food is cheap; you just thank God you can eat. We didn't know it was death in a bag."

• The Silent Killer: This incident is not isolated. Naivasha has seen a spike in food-borne illnesses in recent months, often traced back to cereals improperly stored or chemically treated to extend shelf life. Public health officials have collected samples of the leftover food and the raw grain for analysis at the Government Chemist.
• The Poverty Penalty: The tragedy highlights the lethal intersection of poverty and food safety. With inflation pushing quality food out of reach, families in informal settlements are increasingly forced to gamble with their health, buying uncertified, loose grains that bypass safety standards.
• Police Probe: Naivasha OCPD Stephen Obara confirmed that an inquest file has been opened. Detectives are currently tracking the supply chain of the retailer who sold the grain, with hopes of arresting the distributors responsible for flooding the market with the toxic produce.

A Community in Shock

As the sun rose over Naivasha today, a somber mood hung over Kayole. A pair of small, worn-out school shoes sat outside the family's door, a heartbreaking reminder of a life cut short by the simple act of eating dinner.

"We bury our children because of hunger, and now we bury them because of food," lamented a local church elder. For the residents of Naivasha, the question on everyone's lips is terrifyingly simple: Is tonight's dinner safe?