He said the business has been putting the lives of unassuming consumers at risk, announcing that such raids will be carried out consistently until the safety of alcoholic drinks in the county is assured.
Nkatha termed the operation a major milestone in the fight against alcoholism and illicit brews in the county, noting that similar raids will be conducted for the next two weeks.
“I want to caution security officers and administrators that they risk losing their jobs if they don’t deliver results,” he said.
On his part, county police commander Kainga Mathiu confirmed that one of the suspects in custody is an ex-police officer who resigned from his job for unknown reasons and ventured into illegal business.
“This business kills lives. These people know very well that what they do endangers the lives of those who consume the drinks that are laced with toxic substances,” he said.
Last week, about 17 people lost their lives and 20 others went blind after consuming drinks thought to have been laced with ethanol.
Mathiu vowed to ensure that similar incidences are not reported in Murang’a, appealing to members of the public to continue volunteering information and be mindful of the alcoholic drinks they consume.
Last Friday, deputy president Rigathi Gachagua who attended an event in Kinyona, Kigumo, gave the county commissioner two weeks to rid the county of illicit alcoholic drinks.
Gachagua praised Nkatha saying he had been successful in fighting alcoholism in other areas and asked other security officers to follow his lead.
“The fight against alcoholism is now 70 per cent successful. In Murang’a, the new county commissioner has clear instructions on what to do."
