By Antynet Ford
Two chiefs and their assistants in Kangai and Kandongu Kirinyaga County where seventeen people died after consumption of illegal brew have been interdicted.
This was confirmed by Kirinyaga County Commissioner Hussein Allason Hussein during a public Baraza at Kangai ward.
The commissioner said the two chiefs and their assistants are being investigated.
The two chiefs were interdicted following Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s order during the mass burial prayers at Kangai Primary School ground on February 17.
The affected are Kathiga location Chief Jeremiah Muriithi Njoka and his assistant chief of Kariko-ini sub-location Samuel Ndung’u Kiarie, Mutithi location Chief Weston Muthike Ngiria and his assistant chief of Kianjogu sub-location Peter Nyaga.
However, a section of residents disapproved of the interdiction of Kathiga location Chief Jeremiah Muriithi saying he is set to retire in June 2024.
They said the chief worked hard to fight the activities of California bar owner John Muriithi, but Kiamaciri and Kangai police officers sabotaged his good work.
Earlier last month Gachagua had said that the four government officers together with the police officers failed to end the trade of deadly liquor in their locations and in their sub-locations.
Currently, only 80 out of 330 bars in the Mwea West sub-county have been given the green light to operate.
The county commissioner has assured the residents of Kirinyaga that no one will die again from consuming illicit brew.
“Nobody will die in Kangai and Kandongu villages for consuming illicit alcohol. We are here to protect you and deal with those selling deadly alcohol ruthlessly.” The County Commissioner has vowed.