Molasses centres in Kisii County now closed down

Kisii county Commissioner Chege Mwangi during the opening of Deputy County Commissioner's office at Nyachwa in Kisii county. He ordered all local jaggery making places in the county closed in a move to tame manufacture of illicit brew. (Photo: Denish Ochieng/ Standard)

County Commissioner Chege Mwangi has closed down all molasses centres and ordered owners to apply for new licences.

This is after it emerged that most chang’aa brewers are using the by-product of sugar for preparation of the illicit brew.

Spoking on Friday during the opening of the new Mosocho sub-county offices in Nyanchwa, Chege said the county government makes over Sh3.2 million every month through fines imposed on those caught drunk and those operating illegal chang’aa dens.

“The Government could be generating some money through such fines but we will not allow this to continue. Our role is to maintain law and order and not generate money for the Government through such processes. We are ready to lose such money but ensure that our society is free from such activities,” said Chege.

Apply For Licence

He added: “All chiefs and their assistants should ensure that all those 21 centres are closed. The relevant government line ministry will give directions on the way forward.”

The commissioner said a person intending to open a milling centre is supposed to apply for a licence from the Kenya Sugar Board.

The board is mandated to annually evaluate and license sugar and jaggery mills and issue molasses permits for effective regulation of the sugar industry.

Any person who breaks the conditions of risks paying a fine of between Sh50,000 and Sh1 million, or five-year imprisonment.

According to Chege, chang’aa and busaa, which are the traditional drinks in most towns and villages, have ceased to be what they once were - cheap and safe alcoholic beverages.