Murang'a: Two senior administrators on the spot for attacking, injuring patrons at a bar

Videos circulating online have sparked outrage, showing the two Assistant County Commissioners, Esther Muthoni (Kiharu Sub-County) and Peter Mutoka (Senior Assistant County Commissioner at the office of the Deputy County Commissioner), storming into Oceanic Hotel and Restaurant around 5 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025.

The footage captures them harassing those present at the establishment.

Among the victims were a worker and a female patron who were brutally assaulted by the administrators. Both sustained serious injuries and were admitted to Murang'a Level 5 Hospital.

One of the injured individuals, identified as Kelvin Mungai, the pub’s manager, was seen in the footage being repeatedly struck on the head by Mutoka, causing him to collapse.

James 'Kamlesh' Waweru, the owner of the establishment and a former civic leader in the area, confirmed that his son, Kelvin, suffered injuries to his head, back, legs, and hands.

Although Kelvin was admitted to Murang'a Level 5 Hospital over the weekend, he has since been discharged.

Speaking to the media outside his establishment, Waweru accused the two administrators of being intoxicated and disorderly.

"The two ACCs, who were clearly drunk, arrived at my premises early Saturday morning after a drinking spree elsewhere and began harassing everyone without provocation. They seemed to be specifically targeting my son," Waweru alleged.

He further claimed that Esther Muthoni had been targeting him and his business since he lodged a complaint with the Murang’a County Commissioner last year over alleged extortion by some members of the local administration.

According to Waweru, Esther had previously threatened him with consequences, and since then, his premises had been raided four times.

CCTV footage from the incident captures one of the administrators ordering the manager to lower the television volume, while the other suggests confiscating all the alcoholic beverages in the pub.

Waweru called for immediate action against the two officials, condemning their actions as a blatant display of impunity by government officers.

Efforts to obtain a comment from Murang’a County Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha were unsuccessful.

However, Kiharu District County Commissioner Charles Mureithi, who had just taken office following a recent transfer, confirmed that the matter was under investigation.

He promised to issue a comprehensive report on the incident soon.