Chiefs receive threats for fighting chang’aa

By FELIX NJENGA

Chiefs and their assistants are living in fear after they were sent threatening messages for fighting illicit brew in Kiambu District.

The chiefs, who have netted over 900 litres of chang’aa and kangara in Kiambu in the last two weeks, recorded statements with the police after receiving anonymous threats to their lives if they don’t cease the fight against the brew.

"Some of us are not sleeping in our homes for fear of being invaded and we suspect that people involved are the illicit sellers and brewers we are fighting today," said Kiambu Municipality Chief Samuel Kibugi.

Rapid results

DO 1 Alexander Mativo confirmed the chiefs were under threat since they were all tasked to fight illicit brews in the district during a 100-day rapid results initiative programme.

Mr Mativo said the illicit brews were being sold at licensed bars hence making it difficult to fight them.

"We have closed 17 licensed bars that were selling illicit brews and we are still going to close more," said Mativo.

He added that they have netted more than 900 litres of the brews and more than 200 suspects, both sellers and consumers, arrested during the crackdown.

"We arrested suspects, among them students, and confiscated rolls of bhang and drugs in the brew dens," added the DO.