Three suspected illicit brewers have escaped a police crackdown in Kuria West, Migori County.
However, two were not so lucky as they were nabbed by the Kuria West sub-county police officers led by the police commander Cleti Kimaiyo.
The Kuria West Police commander said that police impounded illicit brew (chang’aa) in the operation.
Kimaiyo also said the police will use the illicit brew as an exhibit in court during the prosecution of the suspects.
“Our officers seized 50 litres of chang’aa and 1,000 litres of Kangara during the crackdown,” the commander said.
“We destroyed the 1,000 litres of Kangara and kept the 50 litres of chang’aa as an exhibit, pending the arraignment of the suspects.”
Kimaiyo also added that the officers are on an intensive search to arrest the suspects and net others engaging in such illegal acts.
The Kuria West police boss also gave a stern warning to the brewers, telling them that “their days are numbered”.
He also sought the support of members of the public to assist in the fight against chang’aa, adding that the crackdown will continue, for them to get the suspects on the loose and others involved in the illicit brew.
About a week ago, police in Kitengela also arrested suspects selling illicit brew and some who sell bhang packed in cigarette packages.
The police are also pursuing a woman believed to be smuggling bhang from Ethiopia and redistributing it in the country.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been very vocal in the fight against the vices.
In his recent meeting with county commissioners and police commanders, Rigathi ordered the authorities to close down all illegal alcohol establishments and arrest the owners together with bhang peddlers.
Rigathi also told them that “they would be fired without pay if they fail to achieve the set goal”. He added that he will continue to advocate for the money collected as revenue from alcohol to be used to build advocacy centres, terming the money as “sin tax”.
Chang’aa additives
As police continue the crackdown, Nairobi residents have raised concerns that chang’aa brewers are now adding additives to the brew to gain and retain clients.
The residents who reside in informal settlements have called on the government to intensify the crackdown in all chang’aa dungeons to eradicate the menace.
The spiked chang’aa complaints were mostly from Kawangware, Dandora, Kayole, Kariobangi, Pipeline, Tassia, Mathare, Mukuru kwa Njenga, and Kibera among others.
Police are yet to arrest any suspects in connection to the same, although it is unclear whether the residents have lodged official complaints with the police.
