A liquor outlet blamed for selling illicit alcohol that killed six people in Kangai area of Kirinyaga County on Tuesday had no operating license.
County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Sports, Culture and Social Services Dennis Muciimi has said the County Liquor Licensing Committee had rejected an application to license the bar in December last year.
At least 10 people are reported to have died while five others lost their eyesight after consuming the illicit brew at the bar. The brew is suspected to have been laced with ethanol.
Muciimi said the application for the bar license was rejected based on allegations of selling illicit brews, insecurity and poor sanitation.
“This particular outlet was operating illegally. It had not been issued with a license by the county government because of failing to comply with the County Alcoholic Drinks Control Act No. 3 of 2014 and all the requisite regulations,” said Muciimi.
The county, he said, has a rigorous liquor licensing system meant to protect consumers of alcoholic drinks by ensuring fair and ethical business practices related to the production, distribution, promotion and sale of alcoholic drinks.
The County Executive Committee Member for Health George Karoki said the five who had lost eyesight were treated at Njegas Health Centre.
Karoki said the victims were brought at the hospital with symptoms of blurred vision, an indication of cirrhosis and other nervous system problems.
Among the deceased was a patient who had been taken to the Kerugoya County Referral Hospital but died on arrival while the rest reportedly died in their homes.
