Migori County leads in illicit brew trade, says Nacada

Migori County leads in the production of illicit brew, according to a report the National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse (Nacada) has submitted to Parliament.

The report, compiled between October 2013 and March 2014, shows that Nacada impounded a total of 456,410 litres of illicit brew in Migori alone.

Some 407,219 litres were seized in Kiambu and 336,019 litres in Kisii.

Kakamega surrendered (239,782 litres, Nakuru 125,007 litres as 88,096 litres were seized in Nairobi.

In total, the anti-drug abuse agency impounded a total 4.8 million litres of illicit alcohol in Kenya over the six months.

NO ILLICIT BREWS IN KILIFI

It is only in Kilifi County that Nacada found no illicit alcohol, the report tabled in Parliament last week says.

A total 841 alcohol and drug-related deaths were registered in the country.

At least 687 of the victims were male.

Chang’aa accounted for 519,442 litres while there were 28,731 litres of illicit spirits.

Nacada is required by the law to submit regular reports on its work to Parliament as part of measures to make Kenya a drug-free nation.

Kisii County leads in the number of alcohol-related deaths at 207 people.

Kiambu and Uasin Gishu counties recorded 90 deaths each, followed by Kakamega (46) and Nairobi (35).

ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS

There were no alcohol-related deaths in Nakuru, Isiolo, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Lamu. Only one person died in Kitui County after consuming alcohol.

Last May, at least 80 people died in Embu, Kiambu, Kitui, Makueni and Murang’a after consuming illicit brew later reported to have been heavily laced with methanol.

Nacada also reports that consumption of bhang is on the rise.

Some 54,772 kilos of bhang were recovered this period in various forms, including rolls, stones, hashish bars, brooms and in bulk.

Authorities discovered 1,153 acres of land under cultivation of bhang with 17,974 plants.

OFFENDERS CHARGED

Some 568 offenders were charged with bhang-related offences in the period.

In its annual report for 2013, the National Intelligence Service warned that Kenya was steadily transforming into a consumer state in drug trafficking trade, as many of the drugs are easily available.

This is also fuelled by the ease with which people can get drugs such as cocaine, heroin and bhang, and synthetic varieties such as Mandrax and methamphetamine, the service says.

In September 2013, Nacada says, authorities busted a clandestine laboratory in Kiambu County where chemicals and equipment believed to have been used in the manufacture of methamphetamine was taken.

“In this incident, 3.3 kilos was recovered and nine suspects arrested — five Kenyans and four foreigners — and charged with trafficking of the drug. The case is pending before court,” Nacada reports.