Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Friday, February 9, recalled senior law enforcement and National Government Administration officers in Kirinyaga days after 13 people died after consuming expired alcohol.
Kindiki directed relevant agencies to initiate inquiries upon which appropriate administrative action will ensue on those found culpable.
"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," read a statement by the CS.
On February 6, six people succumbed while five others were left blind after allegedly consuming expired alcohol dubbed "California" in Kangai Village, Mwea in Kirinyaga County.
As of Thursday, the death had risen to 13 after 7 more people succumbed while receiving treatment.
While detailing the cause of death and blindness, Kirinyaga Health County Executive Committee Member George Karoki attributed it to contamination of the alcohol by ethanol.
Kindiki's directive comes two days after Kirinyaga Women Representative Njeri Maina challenged the Interior CS to crack the whip on the 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," she added.
On February 7, angry residents of Kirinyaga set ablaze a bar that allegedly sold the expired alcohol to the deceased.
While protesting, the residents 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.
"I am so sad I can't even speak, and even when the police come here they are bribed and go away,” lamented a resident.
“It is not the first time they have been here, and even the area chief doesn't do his role. We are very aggrieved and we should have new police officers and chiefs."
Earlier this week, a multi-agency team consisting of officials 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 bars selling expired alcohol.
