The fight against illicit brew intensifies as Migori death toll reaches 12

Migori, Tuesday, July 11, 2023,

KNA by Geoffrey Makokha

The fight against illicit brew has intensified in Migori after 12 deaths that resulted from consuming illicit liquor “changaa” at Kubweye village, Tagare Ward in Kuria West-Mabera Sub County.

Speaking to the public baraza at Kubweye village, Nyanza Regional Commissioner, Flora Mworoa said that government will intensify the fight against the illicit brew in the area to ensure the future generation is preserved and protected.

Last week 750 litres of ethanol was nabbed in Mabera Sub County which was suspected to be linked with the deaths that occurred in the area. 

Mworoa however, noted that they were awaiting a conclusive report from the government chemist to establish the cause of the 12 deaths as five more people are still fighting for their lives at Migori Referral Hospital.

As of June this year, 8,740 litres of illicit liquor in Migori County have already been destroyed, 383 persons arrested and Sh. 513,200 of fines collected. Mworoa said that Kuria West Sub County was the most affected with 4,200 litres of the illicit brew nabbed and destroyed within the same period.

The administrator said that both the county and national governments were using a lot of resources to eradicate the vice instead of channeling the same to developmental agendas.

“I urge women to be protectors of humanity instead of destroying the same lives they bring forth. The majority of the 383 brewers and sellers arrested are women that are naturally tasked with giving life to humanity yet they are the same people taking it away,” lamented Flora.

She urged women and youths to form groups and seek government grants to empower and sustain themselves instead of wasting their lives chasing illegal businesses that can lead them to jail and death.

Kuria West Member of Parliament Mathias Robi said that everyone should take responsibility for what happened and promised to assist the local administration in the fight against the vice.

He noted that those hiding behind brewing and selling the illicit liquor in the name of generating money for their children’s school fees were being unfair and unethical.

“I have been issuing out school bursaries to students and I have never turned away a parent seeking to educate their children. No one should, therefore, hide behind the brewing business in the name of seeking to generate school fees from the illegal business,” said Robi.

Similarly, Migori County Commissioner David Gitonga disclosed that they had already established special security committees to fight illicit brew and counterfeits in the county.

He added that the residents can now report suspected cases through Mulika Uhalifu Short Message Service (sms) to 988 which can enable you to text in your information either as a victim or a witness to a crime. He said that the message will reach the relevant authorities within seconds and channel the same to respective local authorities for necessary action.

Migori County Deputy Governor Joseph Mahiri acknowledged that the county will foot the mortuary expenses, provide transport and buy confines to help the family that lost their loved ones.

He pinpointed that the county was trying its best to create an enabling environment for business for its local residents and cautioned that illicit brewing should not be used as an excuse for lack of employment.

“We have established a sweet potato industry and confined Kehancha town the status to be a municipality and very soon we are starting a slaughterhouse here in Kuria West. I, therefore, urge everyone to grab these opportunities and do something constructive instead of wasting their lives on brewing and taking illegal and illicit liquor”, said Mahiri.

Courtesy ; K. N. A