Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-07 11:48:50
Angry residents of Kangai village in Kirinyaga County, Kenya, took to the streets early Wednesday morning, setting fire to a local bar which they believed to be responsible for the deaths of 10 individuals who had consumed an alcoholic drink suspected to have been laced with ethanol. The early morning raid resulted in the destruction of crates of beer, tables, and other property. By the time police arrived, the bar had been reduced to ashes, and the main suspect had been taken into custody.
Fredrick Shisia, the Central Regional Commissioner, announced that the bar owner would be charged with murder. He stated that the individual responsible for the deaths would be brought to justice and emphasized the need for police to work closely with other government agencies to tackle the issue of illegal alcohol production and sales.
The tragic incident took place on Monday night when patrons at the bar consumed the tainted drink before experiencing severe stomach pains and vomiting in the early hours of Tuesday morning. It was later revealed that the bar in question was operating without a license, having been rejected for one back in December. The rejection was based on reports of illicit brew sales, poor sanitation, and insecurity.
Legal authorities had previously tried to close down the bar and bring the owner to justice, but their efforts were met with resistance and a series of favorable verdicts for the suspect. The owner had been taken to court multiple times and released due to a lack of evidence.
In light of this devastating incident, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) issued a statement, advising the public to abstain from consuming alcohol of which the quality cannot be verified. Nacada urged the public to report any suspected trade in illicit alcohol and drugs, while also calling on county governments to ensure the enforcement of licensing regulations in order to control the proliferation of substandard bars and alcohol outlets.
Additionally, County Health Executive George Karoki emphasized the importance of the implementation of strict regulation for the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages, in order to safeguard consumers. He noted that the victims who lost their eyesight were being treated and observed symptoms of blurred vision, which can be linked to cirrhosis and nervous system problems resulting from the consumption of an illicit brew laced with a high content of ethanol.
Ultimately, the heartbreaking event in Kangai village serves as a warning about the dangers of illicit alcohol and the urgent need to crack down on rogue brewers and the unlicensed sale of alcoholic beverages. It is imperative that the government, law enforcement agencies, and communities work together to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
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