MURKOMEN BLAMES LOCAL POLICE FOR WEAK ENFORCEMENT IN ILLICIT ALCOHOL CRISIS

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has placed blame on local police officers for failing to curb the rampant illicit alcohol trade in parts of Nyeri County.

Speaking during a Jukwaa la Usalama forum on Thursday, Murkomen revealed that ongoing police transfers and disciplinary measures were designed to dismantle networks colluding with criminal gangs and alcohol cartels.

According to the CS, intelligence from communities has pointed to negligence — and in some cases, direct involvement — of senior police officers in protecting illegal brewers.

“In areas where illicit alcohol thrives, it cannot happen without collusion from local law enforcement,” Murkomen said, stressing that some Officers Commanding Stations (OCS) and chiefs had failed in their duties.

He explained that the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, had already begun a reorganisation of personnel, informed by citizen reports. Officers directly implicated in criminal activities would face disciplinary action, while others would be transferred or reassigned depending on their level of culpability.

Murkomen emphasised that the government was determined to protect communities from adulterated brews, which have left dozens dead or maimed across the country. He said the crackdown would continue until the trade was dismantled.

His remarks came shortly after the resignation of mugithi star Samuel Muchoki, popularly known as Samidoh, who left the police service after 12 years. Samidoh, who had faced desertion charges in the past, was allowed by IG Kanja to formally step down from the force this week.

The Interior CS’s comments underscore growing pressure on the police to clean up their ranks as the state intensifies operations against the illicit alcohol menace.