Four police officers accused of selling illicit brew that killed 23 people in Kangai, Muranga County have been detained for 15 days after they failed to take plea.
The Baricho law court has issued orders allowing the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to detain the four police officers to allow more time for investigations into the matter.
The four police officers include a former officer commanding station (OCS) attached to Kiamaciri police station in Mwea West sub county.
kirinyaga burn down liquor store after selling
illicit brew
They were arraigned in court on Tuesday February 13, 2024 with accusations of selling illicit liquor exhibits that had been stored at Kiamaciri police station.
READ ALSO: Kirinyaga residents burn down liquor store for selling illicit brew
The four were arraigned before Baricho law courts senior principal magistrate Stephen Nyaga.
However, they did not take plea since the prosecution filed a miscellaneous application, seeking to detain them for 15 days pending investigations in the matter.
The four were arrested after one of the police officers at Kiamaciri police station revealed on February 11, 2024 that the liquor that led to the death of 23 people was exhibit sold to the bar owner at Ksh20,000.
READ ALSO: Deadly Kirinyaga brew that killed 23 was exhibit sold by police officers at Ksh.20,000
Speaking to news reporters, one officer who sought anonymity said that the illicit brew was exhibit at the police station before four rogue officers sold it on Sunday night.
“Our four police officers on Sunday night sold exhibits to the owner of the California bar at Ksh. 20,000 where each officer pocketed Ksh. 5000 each,” he said.
The liquor was sold out at Ksh.20,000 at Carlifornia bar in Kangai village.
After consuming the illicit liquor, some of the revelers lost their eyesight while 6 others died on spot. Others died while undergoing treatment at various hospitals.
Angry residents of Kangai village on February 7 morning burnt down the bar after reports of the deaths.
