Kirinyaga Killer Brew Bar Owner At The Center Of 17 Deaths Denied Bond

A Kirinyaga court has denied a bond application for the owner of the pub where 17 people died after drinking illegal brew.

California pub owner John Muriithi, through his lawyer Kemunto Magara, asked to be freed on bond if he faces two charges.

He faces two counts: the first for causing the deaths of 17 people in Kangai village and the second for taking evidence from Kiamaciri Police Station.

On Thursday, Kerugoya High Court Judge Richard Mwongo dismissed Muriithi's release plea, stating that the prosecution's seven witnesses slated to be produced may easily be manipulated.

Muriithi was charged alongside his brother Anthony Muthee, Lydiah Wanjiru, the proprietor of Muiguru pub, police officers Francis Mutethia, Allan Kimanzi, Brian Kariuki, and Kennedy Mugambi, the previous commanding officer of Kiamaciri station.

Muteithia, Kariuki, and Mugambi have subsequently been freed on a Ksh.1 million bail, while Kimanzi was granted a Ksh.500,000 bond after his lawyer, Nyaga Gitari, stated that he had just been in the police force for a year and an orphan.

Wanjiru received a bail of Ksh.800,000, while Muthee was released on a Ksh.1 million bond.