Distiller vows to take legal action on MPs who led destruction of alcohol in Mathira

The distiller says it will sue the legislators, who on February 26, 2024 accompanied a group of locals to the Mathira East Deputy County Commissioner’s office, where they destroyed creates of alcoholic beverages valued at Ksh.6 million. 

On February 20, Patiala Distillers says it distributed 400 crates of 'Diamond Ice’ and 1,000 cartons of 'Flying Horse' alcohol brands to a licensed distributor in the region. 

In a letter to IPOA, the distiller adds that the alcohol was then confiscated by Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) on February 21, on grounds that it was unfit for human consumption. 

“An inventory was carried out at Mathira Police station and the alcohol was taken into lawful custody, the DCCs office. After analysis, government agencies including the Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards and the Anti-Counterfeit Agency did their separate analysis and gave the alcohol a clean bill of health,” Patiala Distillers say. 

The distiller told IPOA that MP Wamumbi and Wamatinga were supervised and protected by police officers as they later led the destruction of the property on February 26. 

“It is equally evident that the Mathira lawmaker, Hon Eric Wamumbi and the Nyeri Senator Hon. Wahome Wamatinga exploited law enforcement officers to destroy property in lawful custody, against our client's interests, actions which have instilled immense fear for loss to our client and the many Kenyans who depend on the company as a source of livelihood,” the distiller adds. 

While calling on IPOA to investigate and take action against the police officer, Patilia has said it intends to sue the two MPs for the same. 

The group which destroyed the alcohol cited concerns that the beverages could be unfit for human consumption and fears that it might find its way back to the market.

Through lawyer Danstan Omari, Patiala has defended its products saying that they are good for human consumption and meet all standard requirements by regulators such as KEBS and KRA.