Governors threaten civil cases over brew deaths

By ANTONY GITONGA and KAMAU MAICHUHIE

The Council of Governors now says it will demand for compensations of the people killed by lethal brews in parts of the country.

While sending their condolences to the bereaved families, the council said it would file civil suits against suspects once the Government is done with the criminal cases.

Governors Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni), Julius Malobe (Kitui) and William Kabogo (Kiambu), whose counties accounted for the largest number of the brew deaths, called for the arrest of those behind the lethal drinks.

 Kibwana equated sale of the dangerous brews to terrorism, adding that they were not taking the issue lightly.

Speaking in Naivasha during the council annual meeting, the Makueni County chief said his county administration was ready to institute civil proceedings against those behind the illegal trade.

“In Makueni, we shall make sure that those who supplied the lethal brew face the full force of the law,” said Kivutha.

Kabogo criticised those shifting blame over the brew deaths, adding that youths should be encouraged to stop taking the illicit brews.

“This is not the time to blame each other and we should focus on assisting the patients and flushing out those behind this illegal trade,” he said.

 Malobe called on county governments to issue licences to qualified traditional brewers to avoid liquor-related deaths. “In the past, it was very hard to hear cases of deaths due to liquor and its time we legalised traditional brews,” he said.

Another casualty

 Speaking separately, Nakuru Senator James Mungai challenged security officers to hunt down those behind the sale of the lethal brew.

While sending his condolences to the bereaved families, Mungai termed the deaths as a national tragedy, adding it was sad that majority of those who died were young people.

“There is need to address this lethal brews matter urgently as the number of deaths and casualties from their consumption are worrying,” he said.

Meanwhile, one more person has died in Ruiru and another one is in critical condition after allegedly consuming illicit brew. Residents of Gatong’ora claimed the man died after taking the liquor at a local club.

The incident came barely two days after more than ten people died in Limuru after consuming a similar brew. Joseph Njenga, who was on a drinking spree with the deceased at a club next to their home, said his cousin started to complain of stomach ache as they went home and requested that they rest before continuing with the journey.

“We rested and eventually slept there the whole night. The following  morning I tried to wake him up but he did not respond prompting me to call neighbours,” he said.