Two more people have died after consuming suspected illicit alcohol in Kandongu village, Kirinyaga, barely a month after 13 others died in the same area for consuming poisonous alcohol.
According to reports, one of the victims, a middle-aged male, died on the Sagana-Kagio Highway while being transported to Kerugoya Hospital by police after swallowing counterfeit booze. He apparently complained of terrible stomach pains before his death.
"We found him crying about stomach pains and called police officers, who rushed him to the hospital, but he died shortly after arriving at Kerugoya hospital," said eyewitness Joseph Kibara.
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The second victim, 52-year-old John Gatimu, died at Kerugoya Hospital while seeking medical treatment after eating hazardous drinks allegedly obtained from Kandongu Trading Centre.
Angry Kandongu villagers attempted to demolish some of the bars at the commercial hub but were dispersed by police.
The development came about ten days after 17 people died as a result of illicit brews in Kirinyaga.
Subsequent investigations showed that the spirits were a police exhibit held at Kiamaciri Police Station.
A police officer who declined to be identified said that the fatal brew was kept in the station before four renegade policemen sold it to residents.
The four officers were then detained and charged at the Baricho Law Courts.
Senior Principal Magistrate Stephen Nyaga permitted police to keep them in the Kerugoya police station until March 7, 2024, to complete investigations.
Kennedy Mugambi, the immediate former Officer Commanding Station (OCS) of Kiamaciri police station and current SOP in Kabete, was among the officers charged.
Mugambi, Allan Kiamazi, Brian Kariuki, and Francis Muteithia allegedly entered a store at the Kiamaciri police station and stole the exhibit, which they later sold to a local trader.
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