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Mt Kenya residents worried over return of illicit brews
A police operation to flush out illicit brews dealers along River Chania in Kiambu.
What you need to know:
- CS Murkomen said his ministry would engage the Judiciary to ensure cases of illicit brew are dealt with in a manner that does not antagonise administration officers.
- "All chiefs, ACC or DCC facing cases must be represented by the Attorney General. We will stand by any NGAO officer who is charged while in the line of duty," Mr Murkomen said.
Leaders and residents in several counties within Mt Kenya region have decried the return of illicit brews in the region, with police being blamed for being complicit in the trade.
Administrators, including chiefs, have also complained of being harassed by suspects whom they arrest but end up being released by the courts after paying small fines or cash bail.
Last week, three people were hospitalised after consuming a brew suspected to be laced with poisonous chemicals at Kangai area in Kirinyaga county.
The trio started complaining of stomach pains and dizziness when they drank the brew in a bar at Kangai market in Mwea West Sub-County.
Moments later, they collapsed and rushed to various health facilities in the region. Two of the victims were admitted to Kerugoya referral hospital, while a third one was taken to Njegas Njegas health Centre.
Led by area MCA, Wambu Njiru, residents protested, saying the matter should be thoroughly investigated to establish the source of the toxic brew.
"We want to know who wants to kill our people again in this area," said Mr Njiru.
Residents lashed out at the police and Kirinyaga county officials, accusing them of sleeping on their job.
"Illegal brews are being sold in bars, and the police as well as county officials are doing nothing to discourage the unlawful business which is a threat to human lives," one of the residents, Mr Dennis Murimi said.
Kirinyaga West Sub-county police boss Ms Millicent Mburu said the matter was being investigated to establish the truth of the matter. On February 5, 2024, the worst happened in the same area.
At least 17 people died after consuming a toxic brew that was being sold in a bar established within the area, with the residents saying the recent incident should be urgently addressed.
"We don’t want a repeat of this incident that left us in shock. The government should intervene and bring to an end this illegal trade," said Ms Serah Njeri, a resident.
The illicit brew menace in Meru is so serious that a special police unit was deployed to crack down on the brews and drugs following an outcry by national government administrators.
On Monday, officers from the special unit struck at dawn, leading to the destruction of an illegal changaa distillery site in Majengo, Meru town. The den was found to be running on an illegal power connection to power three distillation drums.
"In the last month, the owner of the distillery has been arrested five times. He pays the fine and continues with business," a senior police officer and administrator said.
Meru County County Commissioner Jacob Ouma said more than 6,000 litres of chang'aa, brewing raw materials, were confiscated in the crackdown.
"It is unfortunate that, despite the efforts put in fighting illicit brews, we still have operational distilleries within Meru town. The den is dangerous to the community as it has been distributing illicit brews across the region," Mr Ouma said.
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He said the den has been in operation for years, and the owner is a notorious criminal who is always in and out of court.
Mr Ouma said all police and administration officers in Meru have been put on high alert in the fight against the vice.
During a meeting with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen last week, National Government Administration Officers expressed frustrations in the fight against illicit brews and drugs and called for fresh tactics to arrest the situation.
It emerged that 14 chiefs and assistant county commissioners have court cases largely due to the war on illicit brews.
An assistant county commissioner in North Imenti lamented that it was frustrating to fight the illicit brew menace.
"Most of the time we arrest illicit brew suspects, but when they go to court, their counterparts fundraise and pay fines instantly. They come out and return to business. Due to this, Chiefs are accused of not doing their work, which is demoralising," the officer said.
CS Murkomen said his ministry would engage the Judiciary to ensure cases of illicit brew are dealt with in a manner that does not antagonise administration officers.
"All chiefs, ACC or DCC facing cases must be represented by the Attorney General. We will stand by any NGAO officer who is charged while in the line of duty," Mr Murkomen said.
