Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has officially reinstated eight local administrators in Kirinyaga County. These chiefs and sub-chiefs had been suspended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in February 2024, following a tragic incident where more than 20 people died from alcohol poisoning in the area. The decision by Murkomen not only reverses Gachagua's directive but also signals a new approach to a long-standing and complex issue.
The incident that led to the interdiction of the administrators—from locations including Mutithi, Kathiga, Ngomongo, Kianjogu, Kariukuini, Gitumbi, and Kiandiiri in Mwea West—was a painful reminder of the devastating impact of the illicit brew trade. In his time as Deputy President, Gachagua had championed a fierce campaign to eradicate illicit alcohol, particularly in the Mount Kenya region. The suspension of the chiefs was a public display of his commitment to the cause and a message to local administrators to take their role in the fight seriously.
However, in a statement that offered a starkly different perspective, CS Murkomen argued that the chiefs had "suffered enough." He stated that their interdiction was not their fault, emphasizing that they had been actively involved in fighting the illicit brew trade in their communities. This framing of the issue as a systemic problem, rather than a failure of individual administrators, is a significant departure from the previous administration's stance.
The reinstatement of the chiefs by Murkomen has raised questions about the current government’s approach to the illicit alcohol menace. It appears to be a more compassionate and collaborative strategy, one that seeks to empower local administrators rather than punish them. It also highlights the complex and often delicate balance between different levels of government. While Gachagua had passionately pleaded with chiefs to continue protecting his program even after his impeachment, Murkomen's decision suggests that the national government's priorities and methods may have shifted.
