Konoin OCS, two chiefs suspended over chang'aa incident

Konoin Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Richard Kipkorir Moso has been suspended for allegedly failing to act on information on the sale of illicit brew at Kaproret Village in Konoin.

Bomet County Commissioner Geoffrey Omonding said the officer had been tipped severally on the ongoing illicit trade but failed to act.

“Konoin OCS also stands suspended pending disciplinary measures. We do not condone laxity and negligence in dealing with the war on illicit brews within the county,” said the Commissioner.

The OCS joins Mogogosiek location chief David Langat and Ngererit assistant chief Benjamin Chirchir who were asked to step aside during a public baraza attended by the county commissioner and members of the county security committee.

Their suspension follows Tuesday incident which saw three children admitted after consuming changaa (illicit brew) while herding cows in the village.

The children stumbled on the brew hidden at a tea plantation.

Locals said a neighbour raised alarm after coming across the children who were unconscious with foam in their mouth.

They have since been discharged from Kapkatet hospital where they were rushed by a Good Samaritan.

The incident sparked protest from members of the public who staged raids on brewing dens in the village and destroyed hundreds of liters of the illicit brew.

Four suspects were arrested and charged before a Sotik court and released on a fine of Sh10, 0000 each.

Residents told the security team during the baraza at Kaproret Primary School ground how the chief and his assistant had turned a blind eye to the illicit brew menace.

Jackson Yegon accused the suspended chief of ignoring their plea to conduct a crackdown.

Yegon claimed that despite one person succumbing to illicit brew and others being hospitalised over the past month, the chief did not bother to take action. Omonding said no stone will be left unturned in getting to the root of the matter and ensuring that the suspended officers.

He, however, decried that low fines for illicit brew traders by courts was a let down the fight to eradicate the menace.

The commissioner said more than 85 brewers and dealers arrested had been fined a total of Sh20,000.

Omonding regretted that the low fines are a blow to the war against illicit brew urging locals courts to reconsider sentencing suspects.

Locals leaders have come out to condemn the incident and demanded stern action to those who will be found to have played a role.

Bomet governor Joyce Laboso said there is an urgent need to stem the growing threat of illicit brew.