Kirinyaga: Chiefs Interdicted Over Illicit Brews after Death of Over 20 People to Be Reinstated
- The government explained the reasons to reinstate chiefs and assistants previously suspended after deadly illicit alcohol incidents in Mwea West
- Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen explained the challenges that occurred before the deaths of over 20 people
- An MP who spoke with TUKO.co.ke, criticised police for obstructing chiefs’ efforts and blamed them for undermining the fight against illicit brews and rising crime
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Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
Kirinyaga: The government has announced plans to reinstate chiefs and assistant chiefs who were interdicted following the deaths of over 20 people from consuming illicit alcohol in Mutithi na Kathiga locations, Mwea West.
Source: Original
The officials had been suspended following an order by former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, who, during their mass funeral, criticised them and local police for allegedly failing to curb the sale of deadly brews.
Survivors of the incident suffered severe health effects, including blindness. The interdicted eight administrators included three chiefs and five assistant chiefs.
Why is the government reinstating Kirinyaga chiefs?
Speaking during a Jukwaa la Usalama in Kerugoya on Sunday, August 24, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the chiefs and their assistants had been unfairly punished and had suffered enough.
He noted that they had been actively working to fight the illegal alcohol trade but were hindered by weaknesses in the judicial system.
Murkomen added that after reviewing the situation, it was clear the officials were not at fault while noting that the suspects had been arrested.
He confirmed that the reinstatement process was underway and that the chiefs and their assistants would soon resume their duties.
“It was not their fault. They have been fighting the illicit brew but once the culprits are taken in court they end up free so they did their part and that is why we are finalising the investigations and soon they will be reinstated," the CS said.
According to the CS, other sub-locations, including Kianjogu and Kariko-ini in Mwea West, as well as Gitumbi and Kiandieri in Kirinyaga Central, had been without chiefs or assistant chiefs since the administrator's suspension.
"There had been no chiefs in Mutithi and Kathiga locations in Mwea-West and Ngomongo location in Kirinyaga Central sub-location after they were interdicted, " the CS revealed.
Source: Original
Are police to blame for the deadly Kirinyaga brew?
Kirinyaga Central MP Joseph Gachoki Gitari criticised police officers at Kerugoya station for demoralising chiefs and obstructing efforts to curb alcohol and drug abuse.
He further accused the officers of failing to address rising insecurity in the constituency, weakening the fight against crime.
"Police officers in Kerugoya police station have been derailing the fight against alcohol and drug abuse in Kirinyaga central, they are watering down the war on illicit brews," Gitari told TUKO.co.ke.
NACADA, police crack down on illicit alcohol in Kakamega
In other news, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), in collaboration with Kakamega county police, arrested three people linked to illicit alcohol production.
The arrests followed weeks of surveillance and community tip-offs, targeting illegal brewing operations in the region.
Authorities seized and destroyed 12 large metallic drums, over 500kg of sugar, and other equipment used in alcohol production.
The suspects were taken to Kakamega Police Station to face charges related to the production and distribution of illicit alcohol.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Nancy Odindo (Current affairs editor) I have one year of experience in print media and more than four years in digital media. I am currently working with Tuko.co.ke as a Current Affairs editor. I have attended training on Managing Sexual Harassment and Gender Equality and Inclusion, organised by WAN-IFRA and the Google News Initiative (GNI), designed to help journalists find, verify, and tell their stories. Email: nancy.odindo@tuko.co.ke/nancyodindo@gmail.com
Valary Akoth Valary Akoth is currently serving as a Tuko Correspondent for Kiambu County. Valary has 2 years of working experience at Radio Mikai, where she served as a Radio Presenter and was responsible for hosting live radio shows, curating playlists. She also worked as a Reporter at Sky Radio from 2023 to 2024 where she covered local and regional news stories, conducted interviews, and provided on-the-ground reports. Valary covers Kiambu and Kirinyaga counties. You can reach her at valaryakoth96@gmail.com.
