Doctors at the Kericho County Hospital attend to the four children scalded by hot chang'aa. [Standard]
Two of four children burnt by hot chang'aa in Kapsoit ward on Wednesday night are dead.
The brewing and consumption of illicit drinks has however continued unabated.
Kericho County Commissioner Moses Mbaruku was none committal on the steps his office has taken to fight the vice.
“I am in a meeting and there is nothing much that I can say,” he said.
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Kapsoit MCA Paul Chirchir questioned why the county security team is not eager to crack its whip.
"We don't know the kind of work the county commissioner and other members of the security team do while alcohol and drugs take over the county," he said.
Kipchebor MCA Erik Bett accused the County Alcoholic Beverages Control Board of being asleep on the job in closing the brew dens.
"The bill was established by the first assembly. We are going to review it to see whether it has some gaps,” he said.
But William Rotich, an officer with the National Authority for Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada), said it is pointless for the county to have legislation in place to control sale and consumption of alcohol but ignore it.
“What was the point of Governor Paul Chepkwony signing the bill into law and shelve it?” he said.
Nominated MCA Jackeline Langat criticised the sale of illicit alcohol in Kipkelion West.
She organized a demonstration with 14 widows whose husbands died from alcoholism.
“Today, the stories of alcohol and drug abuse at Siret trading centre have greatly reduced. Women and children who had borne the brunt of the vice are now relieved." Langat said.
