Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru has ordered the closure of all bars in the county and the withdraw of all licenses of bar owners.
Speaking during the joint burial of the 17 people killed after consuming illicit alcohol in the county, Waiguru stated that the county government would begin the process of issuing licenses afresh.
Further, she said that any person found with any record of failing to pay for their licenses or selling illicit brews will not be issued with new licenses.
“All bars in Kirinyaga County are closed from today. And a new process of verifying all licenses should begin. The county government of Kirinyaga, led by Governor Ann Waiguru has withdrawn all the licenses issued.”
“If there is anyone with any record of being taken to court for failing to pay for their license or selling illicit brew, they will not be issued with a license to operate in Kirinyaga. Our people will not be killed by a few greedy people,” she ordered.
Waiguru Faults Government Officials Owning Bars
Additionally, Waiguru stated that the county government would not allow anyone running a bar to get employment within the county government.
According to her, bar owners who worked in the count failed to enforce rules as they were also affected. “I have been informed that I have 11 staff members in the county government wo have their own bars across the county.”
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“You will have to choose between running that bar and working in the county government of Kirinyaga. From today, if you own a bar, you will not work for the government because all bar owners are in one association, and you will not close those bars.
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“I have your names and you will not apply for a license from the county while you still work in the government. You have the choice to do other businesses,” she said.
Also, she lamented that members of the Bar Owners Association had been interfering with their fight against illicit brews in the county by going to court to free any bar owner arrested by the government.
“They have set themselves above the law and everyone else. the Bar Owners Association have been contributing funds to go to court every time we arrest someone. They do not even pay for licenses and taxes.”
“The association is not registered, and the chairperson does not even own a bar, but he is the one taking cases to court,” she added.
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Kirinyaga Resident Die After Consuming Illicit Brew
The 17 individuals died after consuming illicit liquor in Kangai village, Kirinyaga County while others were reported to have experienced temporary blindness.
Mwea East DCC Teresiah Mwangi reported that the incident unfolded at a local bar, adding that efforts to help the victims proved futile.
Also, he noted that the victims exhibited symptoms including blurred vision that echoed previous cases of ethanol consumption, as highlighted by George Karoki, the County Executive Committee member for health.
“The symptoms and signs observed in these patients indicate blurred vision and impaired sight,” he noted, underlining the severity of the situation.
After news of the tragedy, angry Kangai villagers raided and torched the bar linked to the deaths.
