A police officer has been arrested in Kirinyaga County for selling and distributing liquor despite an order for the closure of alcoholic drinks outlets still being in place.
The officer was arrested at Ithare trading centre, in Kirinyaga East Sub-County where he operates a bar and a guest house.
Kirinyaga County Commissioner Hussein Allasow said the officer has been booked at Kianyaga police station awaiting arraignment on Thursday.
Allasow said the officer had violated the bar closure order as contained in a public notice issued by the County Government on February 19, 2024.
The notice was issued following a declaration of closure of all bars on Saturday by Governor Ann Waiguru to pave the way for fresh vetting of all alcoholic drinks outlets.
“The bar is owned by a police officer. We have arrested him and this operation to ensure all bars adhere to the closure order until they are vetted and allowed to open is still going,” he said.
He said all civil servant who operates liquor outlets have been identified and would not get licenses for their facilities.
Allasow said the arrest was made after members of the public raised a complaint that the bar was still open and the owner was engaged in distributing locally made brew.
“We want to ask residents to continue giving information on bars that are still open. We must bring sanity in the alcoholic drinks sector in this county,” the County Commissioner said.
The arrest brings to five, the number of police officers arrested for violating the bar closure order.
Four other officers were arrested on Sunday in Ngurubani, Mwea West while enjoying alcohol.
County Executive Committee Member for Sports, Culture and Social Services Dennis Muciimi said the vetting exercise for bars which entered its second on Tuesday was going smoothly.
“The physical verification of all alcoholic outlets is going on well and we are hoping it will end in the shortest time possible,” he said.
Muciimi said only bars whose owners will be given a “clean bill” of record will be allowed to re-open.
“Only bars which have complied with the liquor licensing regulations will be allowed to reopen. We urge all alcoholic outlet owners to cooperate with our officers,” he added.
On Saturday, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said law enforcers among them chiefs, assistant chiefs, and police officers among others will not be allowed to operate liquor businesses.
Gachagua told the officers to choose whether to resign to continue running their bar businesses or enforce the law.
