Kindiki Heeds To Kirinyaga MP's Demands, Recalls Police Officers

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki has recalled senior law enforcement and National Government Administration officers in Kirinyaga days after 13 people died following the consumption of illicit alcohol.

In a statement, the CS explained that the officers were recalled due to misconduct on their part which may have contributed to the deaths.

Furthermore, he instructed relevant agencies to initiate inquiries upon which appropriate administrative action would ensue on those found culpable.

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki inspecting a guard of honour during the passing out of 140 National Police Reservists (NPR) in Igembe North Constituency, Meru County on December 15, 2023. /KITHURE KINDIKI

"The Government has recalled senior law enforcement and National Government Administration officers who by conduct or misconduct may have contributed to the recent loss of lives occasioned by the consumption of an illicit toxic brew in Kirinyaga County, Central Region," Kindiki directed.

"Relevant agencies are directed to immediately initiate inquiries upon which appropriate administrative action will ensue on those found culpable."

The directive came two days after Kirinyaga Women Representative Njeri Maina demanded that the Interior CS take action against rogue local administration officers accused of collaborating with illegal liquor den owners.

"I am saddened by the loss of 13 lives in Kangai, Kirinyaga County, due to consumption of poison-laced illicit alcohol," Njeri Maina stated.

"I am hereby calling on the CS Interior, Kithure Kindiki, to crack the whip on the rogue and corrupt local administration and any other culpable officer."

Meanwhile, the owner of the joint that sold the brew, a joint that was eventually set on fire by irate residents, was arrested and detained for 20 days.

In a confirmation by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga, the ODPP noted that the Baricho Law Courts granted a request by the prosecution to detain John Muriithi Karaya at the Kiamaciri police station.

"The Baricho Law Courts has today allowed a miscellaneous application by the prosecution seeking to have John Muriithi Karaya alias ‘California’ detained for 20 days at Kiamaciri police station in connection with the deaths of seven people who died on 6th February 2024, due to the consumption of illicit liquor at Kangai, Mwea-Sub County, to allow the police to conclude their investigations," ODPP stated.

The ODPP additionally pointed out that the matter was under investigation and the next hearing will be on March 7, 2024.

DPP Ingonga's confirmation came amid the deaths of three more people who died while receiving treatment after consuming the illegal alcohol that had killed ten others since Tuesday.

On February 7, angry residents of Kirinyaga set ablaze a bar that allegedly sold expired alcohol to the deceased and during their protests, they demanded the immediate transfer of the local police and area chief whom they accused of neglecting their duties.

They accused the local authorities of failing to apprehend the suspects despite having full knowledge of their misconduct.

Following the incident, officers drawn from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) launched a nationwide crackdown on Tuesday, February 6, targeting bars selling illicit alcohol.