Friday, May 23, 2025 - Concerned residents in Runyenjes, Embu County, have raised an urgent alarm over the continued operation of a local bar which is reportedly involved in the manufacture and sale of counterfeit and illicit liquors.
Residents claim that despite repeated interventions by
authorities, including the police and licensing boards, the bar continues to
operate openly, undermining efforts to curb the sale of illegal alcohol in the
area.
"Hi Nyakundi.
Kindly assist us to
pass this information to the Ministry of Interior and the relevant Liquor
Licensing Board. There's a bar in Runyenjes namely, Tropical Bar, owned by
Cartel in proxy of Florence Wawira. The cartel manufactures counterfeit liquors
and illicit brew at his Mbuinjeru home and supplies to his bar.
The DCI, local administration, KRA, and the police have tried
their best but the cartel's bar has never been closed completely. When
residents try to raise their complaints, DCI is used to silence them.
The manufacturing cartel (Muteithia) has been presented in
court three times. Last year, he was charged with possessing and offering for
sale excisable goods affixed with counterfeit excise stamps. He was found with
375 bottles of Star Ice Vodka. He was fined Ksh 50,000 and paid the fine.
This year, he was charged with manufacturing alcoholic drinks
without a license. He was found in possession of 226 bottles of the same
Kingston Vodka and the matter is ongoing. As we speak, the third offender,
according to security details, has damaged the children of Runyenjes with the
counterfeit liquors; the majority can't go to work or bear children.
Recently, there were deaths associated with his liquors, but the Licensing Board has never closed the bar. The community requests the President, Deputy President, and CS Murkomen to act before we lose a generation."
Via Cyprian Nyakundi
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