Kill-me-quick: Good old Jomo was once a chang'aa dealer

Top: Original brewery at Ruaraka built in 1922, Botom one of the first lorries used to ferry beer in 1922

Drinking alcohol, which has become a problem in Central Kenya, was banned by mkoloni. Indulging in the bottled stuff required a letter from the area chief.

This being the state of affairs before independence in 1963, Kenyans resorted to traditional brews which were swilled for several reasons: to appease ancestors, to oil tongues during slippery dowry negotiations, to celebrate births, to mend rifts, to mark new seasons and to celebrate victory in war.