Beer makers and bar owners celebrate after crackdown on illicit brews in central Kenya

Ruiru MP Esther Gathogo (holding a stick) helps in burning illicit alcohol that was impounded during a past crackdown. PHOTO: KAMAU MAICHUHIE.

MURANG’A: Beer distributors and bar owners in parts of central Kenya are celebrating the fruits of the recent crackdown on illicit brew in the area.

The crackdown that was aimed to tame the deeply entrenched illicit brew menace in the region was as a result of a directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta mid last year.

According to Jacob Wamiiti who is the Keroche beer distributor in Murang'a south which comprises Gatanga, Kandara and Maragua, the crackdown had helped boost beer sales by at least 30 percent.

Speaking at Gakuyu-Ini in Gatanga during a fundraiser, Mr Wamiiti said the illicit brews had become a major threat to the genuine beers in the market from established breweries due to their cheap prices.

He termed the crackdown as God sent saying it had come to salvage the genuine beer industry in the region that was almost going to the dogs.

 "The illicit brew crackdown was a lifeline for the beer industry. Prior to the campaign; I had laid off about ten workers and grounded four vehicles due to low sales. I'm happy to say that today I have reinstated all the employees and have been forced to add more vehicles," said Mr Wamiiti.

The distributor called on the government to ensure continuous crackdown on illicit liquor in the market was sustained in order to ascertain consumers do not have access to the illegal drinks.

Mary Nyakio a bar owner in Thika said her beer sales had increase with about 50 percent after the crackdown was effected.

She however said they were worried as business operators in the beer industry since illicit brews were slowly returning to the market.

 "I have been forced to hire three more bar attendants. Things are good, so far. We are calling on the government not to relent on campaign against the illicit brew," said Nyakio.

 It was the same story for Duncan Njoroge a club owner in Ruiru who said he has been able to register at least a 35 percent increase in sales since the crackdown started.

A businessman from Juja, Kennedy Njoroge said apart from giving a lifeline to local brewers and traders in the beer industry, the crackdown has helped save the young generation that was being wasted away.

The government has continued to enhance the crackdown with a view to nab the illicit liquor brewers, sellers and government officials abetting the vice.