The government has reinstated four chiefs and assistant chiefs from Kirinyaga County who had been interdicted following the death of 17 people who consumed illicit alcohol in February 2024.
Speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations held in Mwea, Kirinyaga County Commissioner Hussein Hallosow confirmed that the administrators had been cleared after thorough investigations into the incident.
“The government has finalized investigations and found that the interdicted officers were not directly responsible for the tragic incident. They have therefore been reinstated to continue serving their communities,” said Hallosow.
The four administrators Chief Weston Muthike of Mutithi Location, Chief Jeremiah Muriithi of Kathiga Location, and assistant chiefs Peter Nyaga of Kianjogu Sub-location and Samuel Kiarie of Kariko-ini Sub-location had been sent home on February 17, 2024, following a directive by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Gachagua issued the order during the emotional burial of the 17 victims in Kangai, accusing the local administrators of negligence and failure to curb the sale of illicit brews in their jurisdictions. Following the directive, the four officials were interdicted, and police officers from Kiamaciri Station in Mwea West Sub-county were arrested for further questioning.
The mass interdiction drew criticism from residents, who argued that the chiefs were being used as scapegoats for a wider problem of poor enforcement and weak coordination among national government agencies.
Commissioner Hallosow further stated that Chief Muriithi, who had been interdicted months before his planned retirement, would now receive all his dues and benefits in full.
The reinstatement marks a significant turn in the government’s approach to the illicit brew crisis, with officials emphasizing collaboration and community engagement rather than punitive measures.
