The government has announced that chiefs and assistant chiefs in Kirinyaga County, who were suspended following the tragic deaths of 17 people after consuming illicit alcohol, will be reinstated.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen made the revelation during a visit to the county, noting that the administrators had been unfairly punished despite their efforts to combat the illegal alcohol menace.
“After evaluating the situation, it seems it was not these chiefs’ fault. They were fighting illicit alcohol, but when the culprits are taken to court, they are freed,” Murkomen said. “We have decided to reinstate them; we are finalising that process, and they will all resume work.”
The tragedy, which occurred in Kangai and Kandongu villages, left 17 residents dead and sparked national outrage. In its aftermath, the government interdicted two chiefs and two assistant chiefs, accusing them of laxity in addressing the rampant sale of toxic brews. Then-Deputy President Kithure Kindiki had ordered their suspension, blaming both local administrators and police officers for failing to curb the trade.
However, the move was met with criticism from some residents and leaders in Kirinyaga, who argued that the officials had been scapegoated for a much deeper, systemic problem. Many pointed to loopholes in law enforcement and the judicial system, where suspects arrested for brewing or selling illicit alcohol are quickly released, often resuming their trade.
Murkomen echoed this concern, describing the issue as a “judicial problem.” He noted that without tougher measures and coordinated enforcement, administrators’ efforts would continue to be undermined. “When these cases go to court, repeat offenders are often set free. This frustrates the fight against illicit alcohol,” he said.
The reinstatement of the chiefs is expected to ease tensions in the county, where some residents had voiced support for their local administrators, insisting they had worked diligently but lacked adequate support from other arms of government.
The government has pledged to intensify the crackdown on illicit brews across the country, with Murkomen promising a more comprehensive approach involving security agencies, judiciary reforms, and community sensitisation to avert further tragedies.
