Following an incident where two people fell ill after reportedly consuming illicit alcohol in Marura, Mwea, the Kirinyaga county government has intensified its crackdown.
Residents said the two collapsed shortly after drinking the illicit brew and were taken to Njegas Health Centre in Mwea West subcounty.
The victims were transferred to Kerugoya County Referral Hospital for further medical assessment.
Dennis Musyimi, the Sports, Culture and Social Services CEC and whose department is responsible for alcohol regulation and control, said the patients are in stable condition.
He also refuted claims they had lost their sight.
“The doctor has confirmed that the allegations of blindness are false. Following examination, the patients were found to be stable and have been moved to Kerugoya Referral Hospital for further investigation,” Musyimi said.
A probe has been launched in Kangai ward to identify the source of the illicit brew and ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions.
“The Mwea West subcounty security team is working with county officials on this investigation. We are actively tracing the origin of the alcohol being brewed and sold and we will provide updates as action is taken,” he added.
As part of their ongoing commitment to public safety, the administration has intensified the enforcement of the Kirinyaga County Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2024.
This includes comprehensive inspections of bars and other establishments to verify their compliance with licensing regulations, public health standards and location guidelines, such as their distance from schools.
“We urge all bar owners to continue with the application and renewal of their licenses. The vetting process is underway, and enforcement teams are conducting regular, unannounced visits to ensure adherence,” the CEC stated.
He issued a strong warning to bar owners against operating without valid licenses, emphasising that compliance with the alcoholic drinks Act is mandatory.
“Our operations against non-compliant outlets have been stepped up. The deadline for renewing alcoholic drinks outlet licenses has passed and anyone found selling alcohol without a valid license will face prosecution in court.”
As part of their broader strategy to combat this issue, the county is also holding weekly review meetings and regularly collecting and testing samples of alcoholic drinks to guarantee their quality and safety for consumers.
“Samples of alcoholic drinks are routinely collected for safety checks, and we are conducting ongoing, unannounced visits to outlets to ensure they meet county standards,” he explained.
Musyimi reassured residents of the administration’s unwavering commitment to eradicating illicit alcohol and protecting public health.
The chairman of the County Liquor Board, Maina Kihia, echoed this sentiment, stating that any individual found selling illicit alcohol will have their licenses revoked.
This recent incident brings back memories of a tragic event in February of the previous year, when 17 people in Kangai lost their lives after consuming an alcoholic drink believed to be laced with ethanol.
That incident prompted residents to set fire to the outlet where the liquor was sold, believed to be owned by a prominent individual.
Subsequently, the county ordered the closure of all bars for a renewed vetting process.
Governor Ann Waiguru also took a firm stance by prohibiting government employees from operating bars within the county, threatening dismissal after discovering that 11 of her workers were involved in such businesses.
This, she said, hindered the effective enforcement of liquor licensing regulations.
by ALICE WAITHERA
