River banks act as chang’aa factories

BY BONIFACE GIKANDI

River banks in Murang’a, Kirinyaga and Kiambu counties have been identified as hideouts for making illicit brews consumed in the regions.

Banks of rivers Mathioya and Sagana have been put on surveillance having been marked key sources of chang’aa and other illicit brews.

County Commissioner Kula Hache described the banks as being notorious for preparation of outdated brews.

Speaking to The County Weekly, Hache said the deputy county commissioners in the region have been ordered to eradicate brewing activities or face disciplinary action.

President Uhuru Kenyatta directed the 47 county commissioners to rid their areas of illicit trade.

Last year, then Murang’a East DC George Natembeya saw notorious brewers swimming towards Kirinyaga fearing arrest during an official tour of Tana Power Station.

The order from Hache comes at a time when most bars in Murang’a have openly defied stipulated opening and closing hours.

There was also the issue of sub standard brews sneaked in without the consent of local liquor committee chaired by deputy county commissioners.

Investigations by The County Weekly revealed there was a disagreement between Department of Public Health and Provincial Administration over the arrival of three brands of sub standard brews from Kirinyaga County.

On Monday, Murang’a police station cells were flooded with drunkards arrested for disrespecting stipulated hours at Mukuyu market.