Lethal drugs a big worry in Kenya’s coast

MOMBASA: Illicit brews are prevalent in rural areas in Mombasa County, the National Authority for Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) has said.

Nacada Director Sheikh Juma Ngao said apart from over indulgence in drinking of illicit brews, there is an overwhelming number of those who are addicted to hard drugs like cocaine, heroine and marijuana.

“Due to fear of arrests in urban areas where police are vigilant and other Government agencies, those who per take in the consumption of the illicit brews frequent rural areas,” Mr Ngao said.

He said Mombasa and the lower Coastal belt is experiencing a surge in the number of drinkers of mnazi, which has not been classified illicit. In Taita Taveta County, drinkers mbangara brew are an eyesore, Ngao said.

“The side effects and consequences are the same. People become inactive. There are no routine timings here when one can imbibe the drink, with instances where drinkers converge at drinking dens early in the morning or late in the afternoon,” he added.

He said there have been reports of brewers trying to mix brews with ingredients that would make them more “appetising”.

Nacada Coast Region Field Officer Susan Maua said they are yet to come up with an acceptable method to define which are the most abused illicit brews.