‘Illicit drinks’ destroyed in Kapsabet
What you need to know:
- Kapsabet Town Ward Member of County Assembly Fred Kipkemboi accused officials at the Government Chemist of being compromised to approve suspect alcoholic drinks for sale.
Over 400 boxes containing suspected illicit drinks were destroyed in Kabsabet by angry residents on Thursday.
A matatu transporting the drinks from Nairobi was intercepted near Kapsabet town, along the Kapsabet/Kaimosi highway, where the locals offloaded the boxes and set them ablaze after the owners failed to produce a permit.
Just two weeks ago, over 17 people died in Nandi County and more than 50 others admitted to hospital after drinking toxic drinks.
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
Kapsabet Town Ward Member of County Assembly Fred Kipkemboi accused officials at the Government Chemist of being compromised to approve suspect alcoholic drinks for sale.
“The officials recently cleared 13 types of drinks which later killed people here,” Mr Kipkemboi claimed.
Some of the outlets the county government had ordered closed for selling illicit drinks were still open, he added.
Nandi County Commissioner Matilda Sakwa said a crackdown was on to ensure those selling wines and spirits were licensed afresh.
“One person died in Kobujoi Town in Nandi South Sub-County on Monday, while a student was hospitalised in Kapsabet after drinking poisonous liquor,” Ms Sakwa said.
Nandi Central police boss Sham Mganda and his traffic counterpart, Mr Hamish Chivatshi, had a difficult time controlling irate people who wanted to burn the vehicle as transport on the road was paralysed for hours.
