Bar owners threaten to sue Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu

Youth in Kabete constituency led by their MP Ferdinand Waititu destroy wines and spirit outlets in Gikuni as a campaign against illicit brew in the area went a notch higher. Women in the area had raised alarm over high consumption of illicit brew. [PHOTO: JOHN KARUME/STANDARD]

The war on illicit brew which started in Kabete by combative MP Ferdinand Waititu is slowly gaining momentum with some residents now joining the fight.

Bar owners have threatened to sue Mr Waititu over destruction of their properties, in the name of fighting alcoholism.

A group of residents on the other side of the county clashed with the police as they raided and closed down illegal wine and spirits kiosks.

Now a row is simmering between the youth group and the police in Makongeni police station in Thika following the move.

Police officers on Monday arrested the youth who were carrying out a crackdown on all illegal wine and spirits kiosks.

On Saturday last week, Waititu lead a group of rowdy youths in breaking and looting bars and wines and spirits joints located in Wangige, Gikuni, Nyathuna and Uthiru shopping centres.

Led by county bar owners association chairman Richard Kagiri, the operators said they are licensed by the county administration to operate.

"We cannot understand how a lawmaker can take a sledge hammer and break into people's property as if there is no law in Kenya," said Kagiti.

David Murathe, a bar owner in Wangige shopping centre, who is one of the victims, said they suffered a loss of more than Sh22 million which they want the court to compel Waititu to compensate them.

However, Waititu maintained the fight on illicit brew will go on announcing that the war would be spread to neighbouring counties suffering the same predicament.

In the Thika incident, police locked up the youth saying what they were doing was not their job.

But Thika OCPD Erastus Muthamia refuted claims leveled against his officers saying they are committed in fighting illicit brew.