Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has lashed out at Chief Justice Martha Koome and the Judiciary after 23 people died after consuming illicit alcohol in Kirinyaga County.
Speaking on Friday, February 9, Gachagua blamed the judiciary for allowing the owner of the bar that sold the deadly brew to continue operating.
"Martha Koome you are from Mt Kenya how is it that in your courts when people are accused and found with illicit alcohol, you give them orders to continue selling poison to our children?" Gachagua posed.
He added, “That individual has been taken to court thirteen times and you have released him. Right now, people have died. What will you tell the people of Kirinyaga?”
At the same time, Gachagua noted that the Ministry of Interior had recalled the Kirinyaga County Commissioner, the County Police Commander, the County Investigating Officer, and the Kirinyaga County AP Commander.
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Other government officials recalled include; the Mwea Deputy County Commissioner, Sub County Commander, and DCI Heads.
Gachagua noted that investigations have been launched and officers found culpable will face the law.
The DP also issued a stern warning to police officers, chiefs, and sub-chiefs in the Mt Kenya region over the sale of illicit alcohol.
“I am going to call another meeting for all chiefs and assistant chiefs in this region and I am going to issue the last warning because they think we are joking,” Gachagua added.
Six family members on Tuesday died and five others went blind after consuming the illicit brew in Kirinyaga’s Kangai area.
The death toll has risen to 23 while those who have gone blind are 20.
