Child succumbs in a chang’aa container

Kapenguria

Wednesday July 26, 2023

KNA By Maurice Osore/Richard Muhambe

A 2-year-old child died after drowning in a chang’aa container on Monday at Kaisagat location West Pokot Sub County.

Confirming the incident, area Sub County Police Commander Kipkemoi Kirui said information reached their office from the area chief who acted immediately after residents raised alarm.

Kirui said the chang’aa container had been hidden underground in a maize plantation and the child unexpectedly dropped in while playing with other children.

“The reports we have indicate that the child dropped in a container full of chang'aa and drowned in it. The brewers had hidden the illicit liquor in the maize plantation because intensive crackdowns have been being conducted in the region to stamp out illicit brewing,” he said.

The police commander said the parents of the child have disappeared into thin air after the incident and police are pursuing them to aid in the ongoing investigations. “The parents have gone missing but we are in pursuit of them so that legal measures are taken against them,” he said.

The commander noted that police have been carrying out intensive illicit brews crackdowns thus brewers have devised cryptic ways of hiding the brews including in very risky places.

“Brewers are now hiding their brews in dangerous places leading to injuries and even of lives of innocent souls like the case of this child,” stated Kirui, and expressed regret at the loss of the life of such an innocent soul. 

He has urged the community to completely abandon such illegal businesses and embark on productive ventures beneficial to all residents to help the community grow.

“Illicit brews have caused insurmountable harm to our communities, especially the youth who ought to spend their energy on building the nation. There are numerous business opportunities that are legally sound and can assist individuals as well as the community grow,” he said.

Courtesy ; K. N. A