Police have dismissed reports that three people died after allegedly consuming illicit alcohol at a pub in Kimende, Lari Sub-county, on Monday.
Kiambu County Commissioner George Matundura said only one death had been confirmed, while another person who was taken to hospital was in stable condition.
He said the cause of the confirmed death had not yet been established and would only be determined after a postmortem examination.
The clarification comes amid reports that three people had died and two others were critically ill after allegedly consuming illicit liquor at the establishment.
The incident sparked protests in Kimende, with residents raising concerns over the spread of illegal alcohol outlets and accusing government agencies and local authorities of failing to take firm action against the trade.
Speaking in Gatundu town, where he led the county security team in destroying illicit liquor and bhang seized during recent raids, Matundura said authorities had intensified the crackdown on illegal alcohol outlets across Kiambu.
The commissioner said at least 26 outlets had been identified as dealing in outlawed or counterfeit alcoholic beverages.
He was accompanied by Kiambu County Police Commander Kennedy Samani, Gatundu South Deputy County Commissioner Florence Sitawa and other local administrators.
Matundura said the crackdown was being conducted through a multi-agency operation involving National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), the county government, the National Police Service, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and other relevant agencies.
He also warned against the commercialisation of muratina, saying the traditional Kikuyu brew had been legalised for ceremonial purposes but that some individuals were allegedly exploiting the provision for commercial gain.
The commissioner warned that anyone found violating the law would be arrested and prosecuted.
Meanwhile, County Police Commander Kennedy Samani said illicit alcohol brewers were adopting new tactics to evade detection, including producing second-generation and counterfeit alcoholic drinks in affluent residential estates across the county.
Samani said security agencies were working to dismantle networks involved in the illegal trade and warned that anyone found facilitating the manufacture or distribution of illicit alcohol would face legal action.
