There was drama at Tarasaa area in Tana Delta Sub County, Tana River County when a drunkard man tried to disrupt the groundbreaking for the construction of a police station in the area.

The incident happened after newly posted County Commissioner David Koskei accompanied by the County Police Commander Ali Ndiema and Garsen MP Ali Wario had just laid the foundation stone for the police station.

Gideon Koroso, who was completely drunk, started shouting from the nearby thicket disowning the proposed Tarasaa police station, as the leaders were overseeing the groundbreaking ceremony.

Police officers on site were seen rushing in the direction of the noise and on close follow up by journalists, they apprehended Koroso who was drunk at the moment and whisked him to a police van packed 300 meters from the venue.

“Naitwa Gideon John Koroso, ndani ya nyumba na hapa ni kwetu nyumbani. Nashangaa mimi napigwa pingu, hakuna mtu amepigwa pingu nafungwa mimi pingu. Sababu ni nini? Nilikuwa nimetoka kwa shamba, napita na huku na nikauliza ya kwamba kulikuwa kunaendelea nini, shida ilikuwa iko wapi? Sikupiga kelele mimi,” said Mr Koroso while handcuffed in a police vehicle.

The team later proceeded to Oda area which is six kilometers away for the groundbreaking of the headquarters of the newly gazetted Tarasaa Sub County that was hived off from Tana Delta Sub County.

Tarasaa is among places in Tana River County known for the sale and consumption of illicit local brews including mnazi, mukoma, makole, counterfeit wines and spirits and bhang which the government has vowed to fight and eradicate.

Garsen MP Ali Wario thanked the Tarasaa residents for donating 10 acres for construction of the Tarasaa police station and Wachu ranch directors for donating 50 acres for the construction of the Sub County headquarters.

“Garsen constituency is 16,000 square kilometers and so there is a need for more administrative units. We want to thank President William Ruto for giving us Tarasaa Sub County but we need more and he should now move with speed to help the Wachu ranch members who have donated this land renew their lease,” he said.

He also urged the government to give residents title deeds so that they can use their land for economic progress.

“We have 76 kilometers of beach line and we want the government to give us title deeds so that we can develop our area,” he said. 

Tana River County Assembly Deputy Speaker Rhoda Katicha urged the government to consider employing locals in the new administrative unit.

Mr Koskei challenged National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) to eradicate the illicit brew production and consumption in the area within ten days.

“The government has set a ten day ultimatum for all illicit brews and drugs to be eliminated in the country and I challenge my officers to ensure that they do their work,” he said.