The Government has announced that Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs who were suspended in connection with last year’s illicit alcohol tragedy in Kangai, Mwea West in Kirinyaga County will be reinstated.
Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen, said the officers had been unfairly victimized despite actively working to combat the sale of illicit brews in their areas.
“After evaluating the situation, it seems it was not the chiefs’ fault. They were fighting illicit alcohol, but when the culprits are taken to court, they are freed,” Murkomen revealed during his visit to Kirinyaga.
The officers affected include Kathiga Location Chief, Jeremiah Muriithi Njoka, his Assistant at Kariko-ini Sub-location, Samuel Ndung’u Kiarie, Mutithi Location Chief, Weston Muthike Ngiria, and his Assistant at Kianjogu Sub-location, Peter Nyaga.
“We have decided to reinstate them. We are finalizing that process, and they will all resume work,” CS assured.
The four were interdicted last year after the deaths of 17 people who consumed toxic alcohol in Kangai village. At the time, the then-Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, ordered their suspension, accusing them and local police of failing to stamp-out the sale of killer brews.
However, Murkomen has now shifted blame to what he termed a “judicial problem”, noting that individuals arrested for brewing or selling illicit alcohol are often released and immediately, return to the illegitimate trade.
“Arrests are made, but once they appear before court, many offenders walk free and continue with the business. This cycle undermines enforcement efforts,” he said.
The decision to reinstate the chiefs has been welcomed by local leaders and residents who had previously criticized the suspensions, arguing that the officers were being used as scapegoats for a wider enforcement failure.
The Government has pledged to strengthen the crackdown on illicit alcohol across the country, with Murkomen insisting that collaboration between administrators, police, the judiciary and the public is essential to prevent further tragedies.
By Mutai Kipngetich
