An alcohol manufacturing company has issued a threat to pursue legal action against Mathira Member of Parliament (MP) and Nyeri County Senator Wahome Wamatinga.
The legislators allegedly vandalised stock held at the Mathira East Deputy County Commissioner’s office on Tuesday, February 27, as claimed by the company's legal representative, Lawyer Danstan Omari.
The raid, happening in line with the current fight against alcohol consumption, led to the destruction of alcoholic beverages valued at Ksh6 million.
Omari, explaining the illegality of their actions, faulted the two legislators for the destruction, terming it as malicious damage to property.
“It is equally evident that the Mathira lawmaker, Hon Eric Wamumbi and the Nyeri Senator Hon. Wahome Wamatinga exploited law enforcement officers to destroy property in lawful custody, against our client's interests,”
“These actions have instilled immense fear for loss to our client and the many Kenyans who depend on the company as a source of livelihood,” the company’s lawyer noted.
The destroyed crates of alcohol were on February 21 confiscated by the Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), who claimed the products were unfit for human consumption.
This development follows the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) recalling numerous brands from the company. The recall came after receiving numerous complaints from the public regarding alleged compromised quality.
Omari, representing the company, affirmed that the products were indeed safe for human consumption. He further asserted that the products had successfully met all KEBS requirements and standards.
“An inventory was carried out at Mathira Police station and the alcohol was taken into lawful custody, the DCC's office,”
“After analysis, government agencies including the Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards and the Anti-Counterfeit Agency did their separate analysis and gave the alcohol a clean bill of health,” the company noted.
Omari further urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority(IPOA) to investigate the police officers manning the products, claiming that they took no action to prevent the malicious destruction from happening.
“We cannot allow politicians to interfere with private business. This entity is licensed, and they are selling products with all the required certifications,” Omari stated.
