The love-hate relationship between the police, brewers

When the Nyeri sub-county administration together with regular and administration police poured over 500 litres of Kangara that was discovered in a den next to the sewage plant perimeter fence, in the Kangemi area and Chania river, March 30, 2017. [File, Standard]

The relationship between the national police, alcohol drinkers and the law has been long and controversial. This love-hate relationship goes back to the days before the existence of Kenya as a country, colony or protectorate.

Home-brewed drinks had prior to the introduction of conventional government in Kenya served a critical role in regulating the everyday life of communities. They were used as a currency to seal many transactions such as marriage, exchange of labour as well as fines.