Owner of Kirinyaga killer brew bar, 4 police officers to be charged with murder

The court, through the prosecutor Jane Maari, was informed on Thursday that the bar owner John Muriithi, his brother Anthony Muthee, Lydiah Wanjiru and police officers Francis Mutethia, Allan Kimanzi, Brian Kariuki, former Kiamaciri commanding station officer Kennedy Mugambi will be charged with murder contrary to section 203 of the penal code.

The seven were arraigned before Kerugoya Principal Magistrate Claire Wanyama who directed that the six male suspects be detained at Kerugoya GK prison and Lydiah Wanjiru be taken to Embu Women's Prison.

The suspects will undergo a mental assessment before being presented at the Kerugoya High Court on March 14, 2024, to take plea.

In a separate court (Court 4) in Kerugoya before Principal Magistrate Charity Kipkorir, four police officers - Francis  Mutethia, Brian Kariuki, Allan Kyalo, Kennedy Mugambi and civilians John Muriithi and Anthony Were were charged with four accounts still in relation with the same case.

They were charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, stealing from a locked room contrary to section 279 (g) of the penal code, destroying evidence contrary to section 116 as read with section 36 of the penal code and abuse of office contrary to section 101 of the penal code.

The bond applications by the accused will be heard on March 19, 2024.

In their bond applications, the accused, through their legal team, argued that should be granted bond claiming that they cannot interfere with investigations.

The 17 people who died after consuming the deadly liquor at  Kangai and Kandongu villages in Mwea-West Sub-County, Kirinyaga County were buried on February 17.

Investigations uncovered that the alcohol consumed by the 17 individuals and several others who lost their eyesight was confiscated liquor stored at the Kiamaciri police station as exhibit.

The lethal brew is reportedly said to have been stored at the station before four rogue officers allegedly sold it to a member of the community. The four officers were subsequently arrested and arraigned at the Baricho Law Courts.