Four police officers were on Sunday arrested in Ngurubani, Mwea, Kirinyaga County, for drinking at a local pub despite Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru’s strict orders to close all drinking establishments in the area.
These officers, assigned to Mwea-east sub-county, were discovered drinking at the Mutitu Andei Bar in Ngurubani, blatantly contravening the directive.
The revelation sent shockwaves through the local administration and populace alike.
Robert Ngaruiya, the chief of Tebere location, disclosed that a concerned citizen had alerted authorities to the officers’ misconduct. Acting swiftly on the tip-off, law enforcement personnel raided the bar and detained the errant officers, along with the establishment’s owner, although some patrons managed escape.
Among the apprehended officers, three hailed from the Administration Police (AP) force, while the fourth was stationed at the Wanguru police station. The individuals in custody cooperated with authorities and were subsequently transported to the Wanguru police station to await further legal proceedings.
Residents expressed profound frustration and incredulity at the brazen defiance exhibited by the officers, particularly in the wake of a recent tragedy involving tainted alcohol in the neighboring Mwea-west subcounty. Addressing a memorial service for the victims of the tainted alcohol incident, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua issued a decree prohibiting police officers and members of the national administration from owning bars nationwide. This pronouncement galvanized community calls for swift and decisive action against the culpable officers.
Concerns were also raised about the prevalence of bars owned by law enforcement personnel in close proximity to the Wanguru police station, prompting apprehensions about a potential pattern of misconduct among officers in the area.
Governor Waiguru, speaking at a public event held at Kangai Primary School, emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of licensing protocols to identify and shutter illegally operating bars.
