Police probe fresh bar death as Kiambu liquor crackdown intensifies
Police in Kiambu County have launched investigations into the death of a man who collapsed and died at a bar in Kahawa Sukari on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, amid an intensified crackdown on illicit liquor.
The incident at Lagunas Tetemesha pub caused panic among revellers and residents as security agencies stepped up operations targeting outlets suspected of selling harmful alcoholic drinks, which locals and leaders say have been linked to several deaths in the county.
Ruiru Sub-County Police Commander Charles Kibathi said preliminary investigations indicated that the deceased had been unwell and had recently been advised by doctors to stop consuming alcohol.
Kibathi said the man entered the bar at about 2pm and ordered a drink, but workers who knew him reportedly declined to serve him because of his medical condition.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the person has been unwell for some time after he was told not to be taking alcohol. He went to the bar at around 2pm and was denied service by the waiters who knew him well. He then lay on the seats, but was later found unresponsive,” Kibathi said.
The police commander cautioned members of the public against speculating on the cause of death before a post-mortem examination is conducted.
Area Deputy County Commissioner Julius Too similarly said the man had been hospitalised two days earlier and had been advised by medical personnel to avoid alcohol.
“I am appealing to the public and associates of the deceased to be calm awaiting a post mortem report that will establish the actual cause of his death,” Too said.
The DCC said security agencies had seized hundreds of litres of suspected illicit liquor during the ongoing Operation Fagia, targeting outlets selling harmful alcoholic products.
Area MCA Kennedy Odhiambo described the deceased as a hardworking and brilliant man and called on government agencies to take action against manufacturers and sellers of suspected counterfeit alcohol.
Odhiambo and local residents claimed that at least six people from the area had died this year after consuming suspected counterfeit liquor.
“It is sad that people are being sold poisonous stuff disguised as genuine liquor brands, some of which go for even Sh30, which is against the law,” Odhiambo said.
He further claimed that the bar where the man was found operating did not have a county government licence and was open around the clock.
Police removed the body and took it to the mortuary pending a post-mortem examination.
The incident came days after three people were reportedly killed in Lari Sub-County after consuming suspected illicit alcohol in local pubs.
The deaths have intensified calls from residents and leaders for authorities to revoke licences of outlets found selling harmful alcoholic products.
Bar owners, however, have fought back attempts to blame them for the deaths, arguing that enforcement agencies should instead target manufacturers and distributors of illicit and counterfeit alcoholic products.
