Nacada: Arrest bar owners in Salgaa teens’ deaths

The National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) has gone to court seeking orders to arrest owners of the clubs that sold alcohol to five teenagers who died in Salgaa accident.

Nacada Chairman John Mututho said the orders they are seeking also include closure of three clubs that sold alcohol to the teenagers, who are reported to have been under the influence of alcohol during the accident on New Year’s Eve.

Raphael Njagi (right) and Lucy Wanjiku (third right) with family members pay their last respects to their son, Dominic Mwangi Ng'ang'a, one of the Salgaa accident victims, yesterday at Kikapu in Njoro, Nakuru County. NACADA boss John Mututho attended the burial. (PHOTO: KIPSANG JOSEPH/ STANDARD)

Mututho was speaking yesterday during the requiem mass for one of the victims, Dominic Mwangi Ng’ang’a, 16, at St Lwanga Catholic School in Njoro before his burial at Kikapu village.

“Nacada has gone to court to ban operation of the clubs, where the teenagers are alleged to have taken alcohol, before they were involved in the accident,” said Mututho.

The other teenagers who died in the accident are Kevin Kamuru, 19, Bill Kamau, 16, Brian Kariuki, 17, and Derrik Mbugua Wainaina, 18.

Two of the victims including the driver had just cleared school and were waiting for their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exam results.

Mututho said it is illegal for operators to have sold alcohol to the deceased, despite knowing they were underage.

He added that action should also be taken against Administration Police (AP) officer Julius Kioko attached to Njoro station, who hired his vehicle to the teenagers, knowing they did not have driving licences.

“The AP should be arrested. It is painful for the society to lose a promising generation because of people in positions, who are acting irresponsibly,” he said.

The Nacada chair added: “Kila mtu atauchukua mzigo wake mwenyewe (everyone will carry his cross). This includes traffic officers who man road blocks, pub operators and the officer who hired out the vehicle.”

Mututho further warned that Nacada would take action against any adult who goes on drinking sprees with underage children, including those who watch youths take alcohol without informing the authorities.