Church leaders up in arms over return of illicit brew

The keg-like container Wiseborn liqour manufatured at a factory in Kianyaga market is being retailed in various parts of Kirinyaga County .PHOTO:MUNENE KAMAU/STANDARD]

 

Church leaders in Kirinyaga East Sub-County have threatened to mobilise their faithful to raid a second generation liquor factory in the area which has resumed the manufacturing and sales.

The leaders claimed the manufacturer of the liquor was operating under the full protection of the area police officers and the provincial administration yet it is a Government directive the brews should be eradicated.

Led by their chairman, Pastor Peterson Bundi, the leaders yesterday stormed the sub-county commissioner Titus Murugu's office to protest the resumption of the production of the stuff in the area last Saturday.

Murugu was, however, not available but the pastors were received by a senior administrato Jared Ratemo who showed them a court order temporarily restraining anyone from interfering with the business premises situated at Kianyaga market.

court order

''This order remains in force until the matter in court filed by 18 brewers from Central Kenya is heard and determined,'' Mr Ratemo told church leaders.

But the pastors said since public interest superseded personal interests, they would work at ensuring the factory does not continue manufacturing.

The pastors said there has been calm and youths were already coping without taking the liqour.

''As a church, we cannot sit on the fence and see an individual making monetary gain at the expense of our children,'' Pastor Bundi warned.

But the County Liqour Licensing Board reacted furiously warning the factory management of dire consequences since it has not been licensed for business this year.

Board Chairman Nyamu Mwara warned that should the factory be subjected to public wrath, the proprietor should only have himself to blame for engaging in an unlicensed business.

He said the deadline for submitting applications for the liquor licence ends on July 31.