This archive report was first published on 5 July 2019.
On Thursday, July 4, a public meeting was held in Molo constituency to address the issue of illicit brews. However, the event took an unexpected turn when Molo MP Kimani Kuria showed up, apparently inebriated.
According to eyewitnesses, Kuria staggered to the podium, but his attempt to address the gathering was met with hostility from the audience. Locals accused him of showing bad example and disrespect, considering the nature of the event.
Security personnel eventually intervened, whisking Kuria away from the scene. In a Facebook post later that day, the first-time MP accused members of the liquor committee of politicizing the fight against alcoholism to embarrass him.
"Today I make an unpopular remark. The fight against alcoholism in my motherland will not be won if we use it for politics. People serving in the liquor license committee cannot award licenses then incite the public against the same licenses. I am glad today's resolutions meant cancellation of licenses given by the same team. Mobilise against this as much as you like but the truth is stubborn. I know corruption fights back and it certainly is and will," he said.
