Vice President Ligati Gachagua on Friday announced the transfer of all national government officials and police in Kirinyaga County following the deaths of at least 11 people due to illegal alcohol consumption.
On February 5, people died and some went blind after consuming alcohol that appeared to be laced with ethanol in Kangai Village, Kirinyaga District.
Speaking at Kutas after commissioning the expansion of Joy Millers, Mr Gachagua said that County Commissioner Tobiko Nayoma, Police Commander Ruben Muri, Director of Criminal Investigations and Administrative Police Commander should be immediately transferred to the Nairobi headquarters. Stated.
A stern-tongued Gachagua said a new team of security personnel led by the county commissioner and police commander would arrive in Kirinyaga by Saturday.
“The new team should immediately carry out thorough security operations to eradicate illegal beer,” Gachagua said.
Interior Minister Kisre Kindiki confirmed the move in a separate statement.
“Government has recalled senior officials of law enforcement agencies and the National Government Administration who may have been involved by act or illegality in the recent loss of life due to consumption of illegal toxic beer in Kirinyaga County, Central Region.
The relevant authorities are instructed to immediately begin an investigation so that appropriate administrative action can be taken against those found guilty,” Professor Kindiki posted on his official X account.
The Democratic Party, accompanied by Governor Anne Waiguru and several MPs, accused national government employees and security chiefs in Kirinyaga of falling asleep on duty.
He said his team had been monitoring a rampant illegal beer trade in the county that left 23 people dead and 23 blinded.
However, the death toll remains at 13, according to county officials.
Neither the Democratic Party nor his office would confirm how they arrived at the number 23.
The Democratic Progressive Party said officials ignored resolutions from a conference in Nyeri to eradicate substandard alcohol in the Mount Kenya region, which is destroying families and stunting growth.
“President Ruto ordered me to fight against beer, which some thought was a small task, but 23 people died because of it,” Gachagua said.
He also ordered action against the superintendent of the police station where the fatal incident occurred, as well as the superintendent and his assistant.
The Democratic Party also ordered the transfer of Kirinyaga West deputy county chairman.
“Where were the government and police when people were dying from alcohol?” he asked.
“I would like to announce the immediate withdrawal of the County Commissioner, Police Commander, CCIO and AP Commander from Kirinyaga County and their deployment to Nairobi,” he said.
He said a commission of inquiry will be held and action will be taken against the police officers found guilty.
The DP said his spouse, Pastor Dorcas, who spearheads the rehabilitation of youths caught up in alcohol and drug abuse, will be in Kirinyaga on Saturday to “assist” locals.
He said that according to the task force's report, police salaries will be increased by 40% starting in July.
