Konoin OCS interdicted after chang'aa leaves children admitted
Bomet County County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding, County Police Commander Leah Ichami and other senior security officers during a baraza at Kaproret Primary School in Konoin Constituency, December 28, 2018. PHOTO | VITALIS KIMUTAI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The children - a girl and two boys - were found unconscious after reportedly taking several litres chang'aa at a tea plantation in Konoin Constituency on Christmas Day.
- The resultant disciplinary action against Konoin OCS Richard Kipkorir Moso and the two administrators was announced on Friday by Bomet County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding.
- The commissioner warned that the government will deal decisively with police officers and chiefs who do not play their roles in the bid to end consumption of illicit brews.
A police station commander and two administrators in Bomet County have been interdicted over the incident in which three children were hospitalised after drinking chang'aa.
The disciplinary action against Richard Kipkorir Moso, the Konoin Officer Commanding Police Station (OCS), and the others was announced on Friday by County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding.
LAXITY
The commissioner said the OCS did not send incident briefs to his bosses and that he had failed to crack down on illicit brews.
The children - a girl and two boys - were found unconscious after reportedly taking several litres chang'aa at a tea plantation in Konoin Constituency on Christmas Day.
Villagers said they stumbled upon the alcohol at the farm while herding cattle.
They were rushed to Kapkatet Sub-county hospital in the neighbouring Kericho County on the same day and were discharged on Thursday.
SUSPENSIONS
The two administrators under punishment are Mogosiek Chief David Langat and Ngererit Assistant Chief Benjamin Chirchir.
“[They] have been interdicted with immediate effect,” Mr Omoding told a baraza at Kaproret Primary School, a meeting which security committee members, led by County Commander Naomi Ichami, attended.
Mr Omoding said Mosonik Chief Andrew Chepkwony Emily Ngetich of Saseta sub-location will take over from Mr Langat and Mr Chirchir respectively.
"[They will serve] until further notice as investigations [are carried out]," he said.
WARNING
The commissioner warned that the government will deal decisively with police officers and chiefs who do not play their roles in the bid to end consumption of illicit brews.
He noted that the disciplinary action followed instructions by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i
On Wednesday, Dr Matiang'i directed Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Mongo Chimwaga to facilitate investigations and ensure immediate disciplinary action against area chiefs and their assistants for dereliction of duty.
Bomet has five sub-counties, which are Bomet Central, Bomet East, Konoin, Sotik and Chepalungu.
It has 66 locations and 174 sub-locations manned by a similar number of administrators.
