• Mathiu urges them to lead by example, remain sober and desist from being compromised.
• Mathiu lauded achievements made so far in the fight against illicit liquor, saying over the past two weeks they have seized more than 2,500 litres of illicit brew.
Image: KNA
Murang’a county police commander David Mathiu has instructed security officers in the county to lead by example in the war on illicit brews, contraband and drug abuse.
He said drunk officers cannot effectively fight illicit brews.
Mathiu, who was addressing senior police officers drawn from all nine subcounties, asked officers commanding stations to ensure their juniors were not indulging in alcoholism and that they were not being compromised by those engaged in the illegal business.
“It’s worrying to find an officer drunk in the morning and the same officer is one expected to spearhead war against this menace. Lead by example, remain sober and desist from being compromised,” he said during the meeting held at Murang’a police station.
Mathiu lauded achievements made so far in the fight against illicit liquor, saying over the past two weeks they have seized more than 2,500 litres of illicit brew.
He said during the crackdown, they destroyed more than 2,000 litres of chang’aa and other illicit brews being manufactured along river banks.
Mathiu said they have also impounded 1,080 kilos of bhang.
In the period, he said, 83 people found selling counterfeit alcoholic drinks and brewing illicit liquor had been apprehended and arraigned. He said some of the cases have been determined, while other cases are still ongoing.
“Police officers have been briefed on strategies to successfully fight alcoholism and drugs in the county. Officers know those who are manufacturing and selling bootleg liquor in their areas of jurisdiction, so they should not hesitate to arrest them,” Mathiu said.
He urged officers to work as a team, cautioning the leaders from working as individuals.
“Cooperation will enable us to win this war. Officers Commanding Stations (OCSs) and their deputies should avoid ignoring their juniors. Team work will ensure we eliminate the problem in this county,” he added.
Last week, members of the public in Wangu ward, using secret ballots, named people they believe to be behind contraband, manufacturing of illicit liquor and selling of bhang.
The names, which were forwarded to the office of the county police commander, are expected to be scrutinised and investigated before the culprits are apprehended.
The fight against alcoholism and drugs in the central region has intensified in the recent past after Deputy President Rigathi Gahagua directed all security officers to crack down on the menace.