Chief caught drinking after set hours arrested

There was drama at Youth Farmers trading centre when a local chief was arrested in a bar for drinking outside the stipulated hours.

During a crackdown of illicit brews in the area, Cheboin location Chief Alfred Aruasa was found drunk in a bar at 11am, and arrested by police. Bomet OCPD Abel Sande said the chief was nabbed with others, and was being held at Bomet Police Station.

“The chief will be arraigned in court to answer charges of drinking outside the stipulated times and absconding duty,” said Mr Sande.

He regretted that someone who should be enforcing law was found breaking it.

This comes a day after Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery sacked 99 chiefs and their assistants for abetting the manufacture and consumption consumption of illicit brews.

Fitting example

“We are putting on notice all administrators who are protecting those breaking the law. This case will act as an example to others,” said Sande.

He added that the owner of the bar might have his licence withdrawn for operating outside the stipulated time.

“We are also warning all bar owners who will be found running businesses before, or after the recommended hours that they will lose their licences and be charged in court,” he said.

Sande stated that the crackdown will continue until the county gets rid of all illicit brews.

Bomet East sub-county commissioner Paul Papa said the chief had also been suspended for absconding duty and getting drunk while on duty.

“Unfortunately, this administrator has never learned from his past mistake. We shall not be lenient with such people,” said Mr Papa.