Kirinyaga illicit brew tragedy: Bar owner detained for 20 days as death toll rises to 10

The owner of the bar that sold the brew that killed ten people in Kangai village in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, on Tuesday will be detained for 20 days pending the conclusion of investigations.

The Baricho Law Courts on Wednesday ruled that John Muriithi Karaya alias ‘California’ be held at the Kiamaciri Police Station to allow police to conclude their probe into the matter.

The matter is scheduled to be mentioned on March 7, 2024.

Six family members are said to have died on Tuesday with five others going blind after consuming illicit liquor at the California bar belonging to the suspect.

Four other people later succumbed while undergoing treatment at local hospitals in the county.

Six others who consumed the illicit alcohol are currently getting treatment at the local hospital with four of them having lost their sight and two receiving oxygen support.

The arrest and prosecution of Karaya came as residents raised concerns over complacency by police and the local administration over their repeated complaints about the activities at the bar.

The National Authority for Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) leadership who visited the scene said the fight against illicit brews is ongoing and vowed to stamp it out.