Seventeen people who passed away after consuming illicit brew in Mwea, Kirinyaga County will be laid to rest today (Saturday, February 17, 2024).

A joint burial service is currently ongoing at Kandongu Primary School in Kandongu Village.

The 17 are among 20 people who died after suffering adverse effects of consuming the killer brew since last week.

The three deaths were reported between Wednesday and Friday this week in the same village.

Gachagua to preside over the burial

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is expected to grace the occasion. Other elected leaders in attendance include Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba.

Taking to social media, she expressed regret over loss of that number of lives to alcohol and drug abuse.

“I can’t hold my tears as I watch 17 people being buried in one day after consuming poisonous alcohol in Kirinyaga. Homes have been broken and livelihoods shattered in the Mountain as we play blame games.

“This is a reflection of confusion in government which accuses CARTELS for every Flaw. RIP My countrymen. We shall overcome someday,” she wrote.

CS Kindiki visits Kirinyaga killer brew site

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki visited the area on Friday to assess the situation.

Kindiki asserted that the bar owner, John Muriithi, where the illicit brew was sold would be charged with murder as he launched an operation to eliminate the product.

“We are going to treat it (illicit brew menace) the way we have treated the problem of terrorism and banditry by having a continuous permanent operation until this problem is gone,” the CS added.

He furthered ordered closure of all village bars across the country.

Investigations into the sudden deaths revealed that the brew consumed by the deceased was confiscated liquor being held at Kiamaciri police station.

How killer brew found its way to bars

Four rogue police officers secretly sold off the killer brew to one of the residents and soon the product found its way to Muriithi’s bar.

They were subsequently arrested and arraigned at Baricho Law Courts. Prosecution was granted orders to detain them for 15 days to allow conclusion of investigations.

Victims complained of stomach pains, diarrhea, heartburn, blindness among other symptoms after consuming the liquor.

This led to demise of 20 people as more than five others are still admitted in various hospitals.

Locals however stated that the death toll could rise as the killer brew is still in circulation.

Last month, DP Gachagua vowed to sustain the war against alcohol and drug abuse in Mt Kenya. He called for proper legal frameworks to aid elimination of the menace.