Four police officers stationed in Mwea sub-county were arrested Sunday for drinking at a local pub in Ngurubani, Mwea, Kirinyaga County.
This is despite Governor Anne Waiguru's strict orders to close all drinking establishments in the area.
Confirming the arrest, Tebere location Chief Robert Ngaruiya stated that a concerned public member reported the officers to authorities.
After receiving the tip, law enforcement raided the bar and detained the officers.
The bar owner was also arrested, but several other customers escaped.
Three of the four detained officers are from the Administration Police (AP), and the fourth works at the Wanguru police station.
The arrested officers cooperated with authorities and were taken to the Wanguru police station to await further legal proceedings.
Residents expressed frustration and disbelief at the officers' brazen disregard for the law, particularly in light of the recent tragedy involving tainted alcohol in the Mwea-West sub-county.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru ordered the immediate closure of all liquor outlets in the county following the deaths of 17 people after consuming illicit brew.
Speaking on Saturday at Kangai Primary School, Waiguru said the devolved unit has withdrawn all licenses issued to the bars to allow for fresh vetting.
Further, the County boss said no alcohol outlet will be allowed to operate in the county until it is vetted and found to comply with liquor licensing regulations.
“I have today ordered the closure of all bars in Kirinyaga to pave the way for fresh vetting, those bars that will be found to have been operating without license or had previous cases of selling unauthorized products will not be allowed to open again,” Waiguru said.
