By OLIVER MUSEMBI
Police have launched investigations into the death of a man who collapsed and died at a bar in Kahawa Sukari, Kiambu County, amid growing concerns over deaths linked to illicit liquor in the region.
The incident, which caused panic among revellers and residents, occurred on Wednesday, September 23, as security agencies intensified a crackdown on the sale of illicit liquor blamed for several deaths in the county.
According to police and workers at Lagunas Tetemesha Pub, the man entered the bar at about 2pm and ordered a drink, but waiters declined to serve him, citing his medical condition.
Ruiru Sub County Police Commander Charles Kibathi said preliminary investigations indicated that the man, who had reportedly been unwell for some time, lay on one of the seats after being denied alcohol.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the person had been unwell for some time after he was told not to take alcohol. He went to the bar at around 2pm and was denied service by the waiters who knew him well. He then lay on the seats, but was later found unresponsive,” said Kibathi.
He cautioned the public against speculating on the cause of death until a post-mortem examination is conducted.
Area Deputy County Commissioner Julius Too said the man had been hospitalised two days earlier and had been advised by doctors to avoid alcohol, but apparently did not heed the advice.
“I am appealing to the public and associates of the deceased to remain calm as they await a post-mortem report that will establish the actual cause of his death,” said Too.
The DCC also said security agencies had seized hundreds of litres of illicit liquor during the ongoing Operation Fagia, targeting outlets selling harmful alcoholic products.
Area Member of the County Assembly Kennedy Odhiambo described the deceased as a brilliant and hardworking man and urged government agencies to take action against people selling suspected illicit liquor.
Odhiambo and local residents claimed that at least six people from the area had died this year after consuming suspected counterfeit alcohol.
“It is sad that people are being sold poisonous stuff disguised as genuine liquor brands, some of which go for even Sh30, which is against the law,” said Odhiambo.
The MCA also claimed that the bar where the man was found did not have a county government licence, despite operating around the clock.
Police later collected the body and took it to the mortuary pending a post-mortem examination.
Last weekend, three people were reported to have died in Lari Sub County after allegedly consuming suspected second-generation alcohol at local pubs.
The sale and consumption of harmful alcoholic drinks in Kiambu County has sparked concern among residents and leaders, with calls for the cancellation of licences of outlets accused of selling illicit products.
Bar owners, however, have distanced themselves from the deaths, arguing that the government should target manufacturers and distributors of illicit alcohol rather than licensed premises.
