MCA ‘assaults’ bar owner who refused to sell him beer
A Nyandarua bar owner is nursing serious injuries after he was reportedly beaten up by a Member of County Assembly (MCA) for refusing to sell him beer in Ol Kalou town.
The bar owner, Mr Gathairu Gathairu, was left with a fractured hand and bruises on the right eye and other parts of the body after the attack.
His nephew, who had attempted to rescue him, escaped with minor injuries.
Mr Gathairu had arrived at his bar a few minutes to 11 pm, the official time for all bars to close, to take the day’s stock when he found the MCA harassing the barmaids and demanding for more beers.
The attendants were adamant on grounds it was nearly closing hours.
“I walked to the counter to find out what the matter was. The MCA complained that the lady in charge had refused to sell them beers,” said the owner.
The MCA reportedly became more hostile at the counter.
A LOT OF MONEY
“He said he had a lot of money which he had spent in the pub and he and his friends must be allowed to take more beers. He said alcoholic laws were made by the assembly and he is a member of that assembly,” said a witness Mr Reuben Mwangi.
The MCA forced his way into the counter, prompting the fight with the bar owner.
However, reached for comment, the MCA Mr Mburu Wa Maria, denied attacking the bar owner.
He confirmed being in the pub, but claims to have left shortly before 10 pm. He said he spotted some strange men attacking the bar owner.
“I spent a lot of money in that pub, I even bought the proprietor and his friends a lot of beer. I saw some people attack him as I left,” said the MCA.
He was not sure about his arrival hour in the pub but said he was at the joint for about one hour.
A police OB report on the incident indicates that the victim drove to the police station at 23:00 hours to file the complaint. The bar is located about 300 meters from the police station.
Area County Commissioner Boaz Cherutich declined to comment on the incident but said, the 11 pm closure hour must be observed.