Following the deaths of seventeen individuals who had drunk illicit beer in the Kirinyaga County villages of Kangai and Kandongu, the government has detained two Chiefs and their deputy.

County Commissioner Hussein Allason Hussein announced this on Wednesday during a public baraza at Kangai ward. The two chiefs and their aides are under investigation.

According to the County Commissioner, an investigation is underway into the four government administrators.

The two chiefs who were placed under interdict on February 17 during the mass burial prayers at Kangai Primary School Ground, as per Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's order. The chiefs of the following locations are affected: Mutithi location chief Weston Muthike Ngiria and his assistant chief of Kianjogu sub-location Peter Nyaga; Kathiga location chief Jeremiah Muriithi Njoka and his assistant chief of Kariko-ini sub-location Samuel Ndung'u Kiarie.


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Some locals were upset that Chief Jeremiah Muriithi of the Kathiga location, scheduled to retire in June, had been suspended.

They said that despite the chief's best efforts, Kiamaciri and Kangai police officers undermined his efforts to counteract the activities of California bar owner John Muriithi.

DP Gachagua stated that the four government and police officers had not succeeded in stopping the sale of lethal alcohol in their respective locations and sublocations when he issued the order.

Only 80 of the 330 bars in the Mwea West sub-county have been given permission to open for business.

“Nobody will die in Kangai and Kandongu villages for consuming illicit alcohol. We are here to protect you and deal with those selling deadly alcohol ruthlessly, the County Commissioner has vowed.