- The county police commander David Mathiu said the brews were impounded in all parts of the county in the last two days.
- Each police station, he said, was involved in the operation that he said will continue until the county gets rid of the brews.
Image: Alice Waithera
Police in Murang’a have impounded over 5,000 litres of illicit brews just days after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua vowed to ensure alcoholism is eradicated in the Central region.
The county police commander David Mathiu said the brews were impounded in all parts of the county in the last two days.
Over 10 suspects were also arrested and are set to be arraigned in court to be charged with selling and brewing illicit brews, he confirmed.
“In the last two days, security agents have embarked on an intensive operation to make sure we deal with all those engaging in illegal brews and drugs,” he said.
Each police station, he said, was involved in the operation that he said will continue until the county gets rid of the brews.
Some of the brews, he said, are being brewed along river banks while others are being sold near learning institutions.
Mathiu said a team has been established that will ensure every village and shopping centre is monitored to discourage consumption and brewing of the brews.
He said the brews are haphazardly prepared in unhygienic conditions and put the lives of consumers at risk.
“I am warning to culprits that it is no longer business as usual. We will not allow you to continue posing a threat to people,” he said.
Mathiu said some of the drinks cannot be consumed by one person as they are too strong.
The youths, he said, contribute to buying one bottle at Sh100 each and are all drunk by the time the drink is over.
The police boss also sounded a warning to revellers found consuming alcoholic drinks beyond the recommended hours.
The measures, he said, will help control the alcoholism that has posed a threat to the economy of the country as it rendered men of productive age unproductive.
“We have impounded a long list of substances, including illicit brews and counterfeits. Some of these drinks are packaged in bottles of legal drinks but do not have the relevant stamps meaning they do not contribute revenue to the government,” he said.
“We have also found sachets of instant dry yeast that is used to prepare illicit drinks and works within a few minutes. They just mix it with a few other substances and the drink is ready within minutes.”
He said consumers of such drinks expose themselves to toxic substances that may have adverse effects on their health.
Last year, Ahadi Kenya CEO Stanley Kamau pledged to facilitate the wedding of youthful men from his Karung’e village who will settle down this year.
This was prompted by the realization that most of the local youths had been addicted to alcohol and drugs and were not getting married.
The situation is replicated in many villages in the county and has seen women take over the leadership of their homes.