Brewers torch chief’s house

Property estimated at Sh2 million belonging to an administration officer in Muchongoi area of Baringo County was set ablaze by suspected arsonists in the wake of the illicit brew crackdown.

A house and a store belonging to Kamailel Assistant Chief Kimutai Wendot were set on fire moments after security officers raided several homesteads in the area and destroyed illicit brew manufacturing equipment and poured over 3,500 litres of Kang’ara brew.

According to the assistant chief, he and other security officers had gone to his office for a brief meeting when the incident occurred.

He said he received calls from neighbours while he was in the meeting informing him of the fire but on arrival, his main house, a store and a cow shed had been reduced to ashes.
The administrator said nothing was salvaged in the inferno since there was no one home at the time of the incident.

However, two suspects were later arrested and are now assisting police officers with investigations into the matter.

Baringo South MP Grace Jelagat Kipchoim condemned the incident saying those behind it must be brought to book.

She said the war against illicit brew should continue despite intimidation by those involved in the trade.

The MP noted that such incidents should not prevent officers from conducting searches and destroying brewing equipment to ensure that the menace is dealt with.