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Kindiki recalls police officers after illicit alcohol kills 13 in Kirinyaga

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki. (Photo: File)

By Lucy Mumbi | 09 Feb 2024

The owner of the bar that sold the killer brew, John Muriithi Karaya alias ‘California’, has been detained 20 days at the Kiamaciri Police Station.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has recalled senior law enforcement and national government administration officers after 13 people died from drinking illicit alcohol in Kirinyaga County.

In a statement via X on Friday, Kindiki also directed relevant agencies to immediately initiate inquiries on the administrative action to take against those found culpable.

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“The government has recalled ... officers who, by conduct or misconduct, may have contributed to the loss of lives occasioned by the consumption of an illicit toxic brew in Kirinyaga County, Central region,” he said on Friday, without giving details such as the names and number of the recalled officers.

Kindiki's decision came after police launched investigations and the owner of the bar that sold the killer brew, John Muriithi Karaya alias ‘California’, was arraigned.

Karaya was detained for 20 days pending the conclusion of the probe, in a ruling issued at the Baricho Law Courts. He will be held at the Kiamaciri Police Station ahead of the mention of the case on March 7, 2024.

Following the deaths, Central Regional Commissioner Fredrick Shisia said Karaya would be charged with murder.

Residents said some of the victims died at home and others at Kerugoya referral hospital, and that five people suffered temporary blindness after drinking the illicit alcohol.

They stormed the bar, destroyed crates of beer, tables and other property, and then set it on fire.

Mwea East Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Teresa Mwangi noted that the bar was unlicensed and had earlier been closed but was reopened after the owner obtained a court order.

In its statement, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) asked the public to exercise caution. It added that it would intensify its crackdown on substandard, illicit and counterfeit alcohol to protect the public.

NACADA also appealed to county governments to execute their devolved licensing mandate to control the proliferation of bars and stores selling wines and spirits, many of which do not meet operating standards.