Locals skip church to conduct raids

Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari (left) scales a gate after the owner of an illicit brew factory at Kibingo village denied them access. [PHOTO: MUNENE KAMAU/STANDARD]

Residents yesterday skipped church services to join Government officials, police and local leaders in destroying 1,341 cartons of second generation alcohol.

A pick-up truck full of these banned brews was found at the Kenya Power staff quarters, following a tip-off from the public.

“We raided the premises and took away alcohol from a pick-up then destroyed it,” Imenti North MP Rahim Dawood told the Press.

Administration and Regular Police officers accompanied chiefs and the MP in raiding the few wines and spirits joints that opened for business yesterday.

Bottles containing the alcohol were first emptied then burned near KANU grounds before the police proceeded to Gitimbine for more raids.

Imenti North Deputy County Commissioner Jim Njoka said they will stop only after ridding the area of illegal brews.

“All licences for wines and spirits joints remain suspended. Most of them are now closed but we are going to check every corner of the area,” he said.

Mr Dawood thanked residents who opted to skip church so as to participate in the exercise.

“You have not done wrong by coming here to destroy these illicit drinks. It is also service to God, because you are saving lives.I am going to request President Uhuru Kenyatta to allow us continue these raids, until we destroy the last drop of dangerous alcohol,” Dawood said.

He said raids at Small World in Makutano and Imenti Wine Stores in the CBD had yielded many plastic bottles containing second-generation drinks.

Meru Municipality Chief Mercy Murithi appealed to the Judiciary to support the war by handing down heavy fines to dealers and consumers of the alcohol.