Residents decry illicit brew menace

Nakuru, Tuesday, May 30, 2023

KNA by Anne Sabuni

Residents of Ol Rongai ward in Nakuru County have decried the laxity by the local administrators in fighting illicit brews and bhang, a day after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua cautioned against abating the crimes.

The residents, mainly women took to the streets calling for the closure of the Ol Rongai police station, accusing the police and the area chief of abating the sale and use of illicit brews.

Led by Teresia Njeri, the women said their sons and husbands had resorted to drinking all day and absconding work and domestic duties, calling on DP Gachagua to prioritize the area especially Kwa Gitau where dens were the order of the day.

“Our young men are no longer siring, all they do is urinate on themselves. We risk losing a generation if these brewers are left to thrive.

“Our administrators only move around to collect bribes from the brewers, they do not act on reports they thwart plans of apprehension themselves by tipping the den owners,” decried Njeri.

Violet Wairimu, decried the increased theft cases that targeted their livestock and farm produce as the drunks sought money to quench their thirst.

“Whenever these brewers are arrested, they are never arraigned in court, all they do is bribe their way out at the station. When we ask the police why they are never arraigned in court, we are threatened and our drunk sons locked up as punishment,” decried Wairimu.

Menengai West MCA Isaac Rotok regretted that Ol Rongai, Mangu and Kwa Gitau areas were hard hit with bhang peddlers boasting in the trade, that had wiped out youths in the area.

“We are giving the government seven days to act on this matter, else, the women should not be blamed for the actions they will take. We have found bhang that is planted here 50 metres away from the police station, yet the police know too well where it is grown and peddled,” added the MCA, calling for transfer of the police.

The residents called on the county government to crack a whip on those selling alcohol and brews in residential areas, noting that the vice had taken root in the area.

DP Rigathi Gachagua and Interior CS Githure Kindiki, while addressing Rift Valley Leaders yesterday in Nakuru, cautioned police officers and chiefs against abating the manufacture, sale and use of illicit brews and second generation brews.

Governor Susan Kihika, who was present at the event noted that only 2, 919 alcoholic drinks outlets were licensed to operate in Nakuru County noting that the move to slash the numbers was to safeguard the youths from drowning in drug abuse and alcoholism.

“This is the business of death that has threatened national and local peace and therefore there is need to wipe this as they affect the individual users as well as their families and society,” added Kihika.

The Governor regretted that rogue illicit traders had resorted to toilets, cemeteries and private homes to escape arrests.

 Courtesy ; K. N. A