Illicit brew is killing our families, angry Baringo mothers cry out

Women demonstrate at Kabartonjo Town due to rising cases of illicit brew consumption among young men within Kapkombe sub location. [Yvonne Chepkwony, Standard] As early as 9 am, men and young boys in tattered clothes are seated on stones at a drinking den at Kapkeite village in Baringo Central. They chat away as they drink illicit brew, without a care in the world. From their faces, you can see desperation. And this is the same picture in Manach, Sirwanin, Sengchan villages in Seretunin sub-location. Despite the massive crackdown on illicit brew three years ago, the situation is now out of control. And the residents are worried, especially mothers, who are losing their sons to alcohol. "At age 16, my son was hooked to alcohol. He was in Form Two. He would report to school drunk and I was always being summoned. He scored a D- in his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). I was disappointed. But he is my son and I cannot disown him," Elizabeth Chepnyangoi said. Chepnyangoi recalls how after finishing secondary school, the son started selling family trees and maize. "My husband had just died and we were under financial strain. My son would sell anything to get money to buy alcohol. It took a toll on me," Mrs Chepnyangoi added. She blames the government for failing to crack the whip on illicit brew traders. Another resident, Pauline (not her real name) revealed how she has been forced to be the sole breadwinner since her husband is an alcoholic. She claims that his three sons are emulating their father and spend all their money on alcohol. "My husband does not provide for us. The little money that I make is what I use to feed them. My sons started taking alcohol while in high school. They are now adults and it isn't easy to tame. I have contemplated running away, but I wonder what will happen to the younger ones," she narrated as she gazed at her 12 year-old-girl, who is her only hope. Pauline revealed that many families had been broken due to alcoholism, with mothers being left as the sole breadwinners. "You see all these families around this area are fighting silently hoping that a solution will be found. Society harshly judges mothers for not raising their children properly, forgetting that it takes a community to raise a child." At Kapkombe village, Priscila Kangogo is a devastated mother. She revealed how her husband has abandoned her family and spends most of his time in drinking dens. Sadly, her sons have also become alcoholics. "It is time for the government to address this problem. We shouldn't be burying our husbands and children due to alcohol. I'm getting old and if my sons continue with this behaviour, it is a disaster in waiting," she said. Kangogo blamed alcohol for the high school dropout, immorality, and defilement cases in the area. Abdirisack Jaldesa, the area County Commissioner confirmed that illicit brew is a major problem in the area, which requires urgent intervention. Jaldesa said that they are working with local administration and security agencies in fighting the vice. "My office has been working with other security agencies in making sure that we end illicit brew. We will involve all the stakeholders to fight these illicit brewers. We must rescue our youth or else, we will lose a whole generation," he Jaldesa. Interior Principal Secretary, Raymond Omollo said the government will crack down on illicit alcohol and drugs during this festive season. "As we approach Christmas and the New Year, the brewers might take advantage of the situation. However, I want to warn them in advance. We will arrest them," Omollo said

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