Police officers banned from owning bars - DP Gachagua announces

Gachagua made the announcement on behalf of the President on Saturday stating, "There is no way a chief, an assistant county commissioner or commissioner or police officer can own a bar anywhere in the country. That is clear conflict of interest and it is not possible."

The deputy president urged any police officer who owns a bar to make a choice: either resign from their position and run the bar or cease operating the establishment and continue their service within the police force.

"So I want to announce here on behalf of the president. If you are a police officer and you own a bar. Resign and run the bar. Or stop operating the bar and continue working in the service," said the DP.

He was speaking at the mass funeral service of 17 people who died after consuming deadly illicit liquor at  Kangai and Kandongu villages of Mwea-West Sub-county in Kirinyaga County.

The 17 victims were laid to rest in various locations within Kangai and Mutithi wards, as the community grapples with the loss and seeks answers.

This tragedy has sparked renewed calls for more rigorous enforcement of regulations surrounding the production and sale of alcohol, as well as heightened awareness of the dangers posed by illicit liquor.

The contaminated liqour that led to the death of the 17 local residents was reportedly exhibit that had been stored at Kiamaciri police station.  

The deputy president confirmed that the Kiamaciri Police Station OCS and three other police officers have since been sacked from the police service over the incident.

At the same time, Gachagua said all remaining police officers at the station have been transferred to new locations.

"On top of that we have removed all police officers from Kiamaciri police station and Kangai police station from junior to senior officers," said Gachagua.

Meanwhile, the owner of the bar that sold the deadly liqour after purchasing it from rogue police officers remains in custody as investigations continue.