Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua says National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) as well as police officers will not be allowed to own bars anywhere in the country due to what he terms as a clear conflict of interest.

Gachagua announced on behalf of the President on Saturday stating, “There is no way a chief, an assistant county commissioner or commissioner or police officer can own a bar anywhere in the country. That is a clear conflict of interest and it is not possible.”

The deputy president urged any police officer who owns a bar to make a choice: either resign from their position and run the bar or cease operating the establishment and continue their service within the police force.

“So I want to announce here on behalf of the president. If you are a police officer and you own a bar. Resign and run the bar. Or stop operating the bar and continue working in the service,” said the DP.

He spoke at the mass funeral service of 17 people who died after consuming deadly illicit liquor at  Kangai and Kandongu villages of Mwea-West Sub-county in Kirinyaga County.

Gachagua was accompanied by Mt Kenya leaders among them Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru.

Waiguru labeled the death of the 17 individuals as a blow to society and pledged to join Gachagua’s efforts in the fight against drugs.

He was also accompanied by Lands CS Alice Wahome, Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau, and Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni (State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards).

Others included, Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango, Mary Maingi, (Mwea MP), Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi, Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga,  Mary Wamaua (Maragua MP), and Rindikiri Mugambi among others