A 13-year-old boy has died while five other family members fell ill in a suspected food poisoning incident in Mumoni, Kitui County.

The deceased, a Grade 4 pupil at Kandiki Primary School, reportedly died at his home in Kasaa Village on Sunday, September 27, as members of his family developed severe illness.

According to police, the incident was reported by the area chief of Nguuku Location after receiving information from the Kasaa Village manager.

The boy’s mother aged 35, and four other children reportedly fell ill at around 2am.

Those affected included a 12, 10, eight, and a two-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter of the family.

Their condition reportedly worsened towards midday, prompting relatives to arrange transport to Martin’s Private Hospital at Kamuwongo Market for treatment.

However, the boy died before he could be taken to hospital. He was reportedly found lying on a bed inside the family home.

Police said they visited the scene and launched preliminary investigations.

The boy’s body was moved to Kyuso Level IV Hospital mortuary, where it is being preserved pending a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death.

Police are investigating the suspected food poisoning incident, while the affected family members continue receiving medical attention.

And a 38-year-old woman has been arrested following the death of her five-month-old son in Gucha South, Kisii County.

The deceased was found lying lifeless on a sofa inside the family home in Enkora Two Village, Bokimae Sub-Location, on Sunday evening.

According to police, the mother had left the baby at around 1pm in the company of his three siblings, aged 11, seven and five years.

She reportedly left to attend the funeral vigil of her cousin in neighbouring Bomware Sub-Location.

Police said she returned home at around 7pm and found villagers gathered at her compound, where she learnt that her youngest son had died.

Police teams visited the scene and commenced investigations.

The baby’s body had no visible injuries. The scene was processed and documented before the body was moved to Tabaka Mission Hospital mortuary, where it is being preserved pending an autopsy to establish the cause of death.

The woman was arrested and detained at Nyamarambe Police Station pending arraignment in court.