[The Nation (Nairobi)] A regular policeman and an Administration Police officer's wife collapsed and died in what is believed to be excessive consumption of chang'aa in Nyamira district.The two died after allegedly taking too much of the brew in separate chang'aa dens in Nyamira town.
Mr Samuel Lang'at, a constable, and Mrs Sarah Achoki died on the way to the district hospital after they collapsed.
Local deputy OCPD Dishon Chadaka said his officer had gone to the chang'aa den on Monday morning where he continued drinking for several hours before he collapsed.
Mrs Achoki is said to have also taken chang'aa in another den after allegedly differing with her husband.
Angry residents blamed the police for allowing chang'aa dens to continue to operate despite being just 500m from Nyamira police station and notwithstanding the new Alcoholic Drinks Control Act.
Workmates of Mr Lang'at described him as a polite and quiet officer.
A colleague, who was also his neighbour, described Mr Lang'at as a man of few words who became jovial after drinking.
"The officer preferred chang'aa in favour of legally accepted drinks. However, once in a while he could take one or two beers if he is bought," the officer explained.
He said Mr Lang'at, who hailed from Bureti district, was posted to Nyamira police station five years ago.
Another senior police officer, who said he trained him at GSU training college in Embakasi, Nairobi, said Mr Lang'at was "a well behaved recruit."
The Alcoholic Drinks Control Acts prohibits the selling of alcohol before 5pm on week days and 2pm on weekends, and after 11pm all week.
The Act came into law on November 22, last year.