Two middle aged men have died after falling into a pond in Kauriro market in Mbeere North sub county.
The two were escaping police arrest after they were found taking beer in one of the bars in the market last night thus violating government directives that closed all bars to contain spread of corona virus.
Mbeere North deputy county commissioner Christopher Siele said that police officers were carrying out operation in the market when they came across a group of men who were taking beer at Club signature and upon locating police officers they decided to escape.
Siele said three men ran into the pond while escaping and two died while one was rescued early in the morning.
“The men were many but this three while escaping police arrest ran into a pond full of water and two died,”said Siele.
The DC said that those who died were Evantus Michungu aged 43 years and Simon Macharia aged 24 years.
He said there was a complain by the locals that bar operators in that market were notorious and they were flauting the government directives by opening bars and that is what prompted police to do an operation in that market to ensure that no bars operating.
The security chairman in Mbeere North sub county urged residents to learn not to fear police but instead learn to engage police when found breaking the law.
Siele warned those opening bars to count their days because soon they will be arrested and their licenses revoked.
He said it is against the law for anyone to open bar during this time when the country is being hit by corona virus and bars have been closed to contain spread of corona virus.
Boniface Njue father to Evantus Michugu said that he learned death of his son with shock stating that his son do not take beer but only he was in the company of his friends.
”It is very unfortunate that i have lost my son ,he dont take beer but because this has happened let him rest in peace,”said Njue.
Residents of this area while speaking to press said the bars are operating normally even after the government ordered their closure.
Grace Kariuki said they are in fear that corona virus may spread because people were not adhering to government protocols.
She said that police should tighten their operations and arrest those who were operating bars in the area.
The body of Simon Macharia was moved to Embu level 5 hospital mortuary while that of Evantus Michungu was moved to Siakago level 4 hospital mortuary.
