Grieving mothers and grandmothers in Nairobi’s Dagoretti South constituency took to the streets on Saturday in a bold protest against what they describe as an escalating crisis of alcohol-related deaths devastating their community.
Carrying placards and chanting slogans, the women marched through parts of Waithaka and Riruta, demanding urgent government action to curb the spread of cheap and unregulated alcohol that they say is killing young people at an alarming rate.
“Nimeathirika vibaya sana. Siku hizi hata ukienda kwa baa utapata familia yetu iko hapo. Pombe imeleta hasara nyingi sana. Nilikuwa na kijana mmoja, hata yeye alipotea kwa pombe nikazika. Hakuwa na bibi, hakuwa na mtoto,” lamented Salome Thiong’o, one of the mothers leading the protest.
“Serikali ituambie mbona haisaidii. Ama wao wanafaidika na hii pombe? Tunaumia sana.”
The peaceful demonstration briefly disrupted traffic as protesters waved banners reading “Pombe Ni Mauu!” (Alcohol Is Death) and “Close the Killers!”, forcing commuters to confront the depth of their pain.
Dagoretti South has long struggled with rampant alcoholism, with residents blaming widespread unemployment and the unchecked growth of illegal drinking dens. Youth, many idle and jobless, are drawn to unregulated bars selling cheap brews, including toxic chang’aa allegedly mixed with harmful substances.
Keep Reading
- Youth battle cannabis use and few are breaking free
- How drug abuse threatens fight to end Aids deaths, HIV infections
- How needle sharing, risky traditions are fuelling hepatitis crisis
- Alcohol can seriously affect a young brain
Residents say recent tragedies, ranging from fatal alcohol poisoning to violent alcohol-fuelled brawls, have become disturbingly common.
One widow recounted burying her 22-year-old son after a night of drinking turned deadly, a story echoed in many households across the area.
Bars are said to be operating round the clock, often without licenses, worsening addiction while contributing to rising crime, poverty, school dropouts and family breakdowns.
Beyond deaths, residents warn that alcohol abuse is fueling teen pregnancies, domestic violence and rising HIV infections.
Community initiatives such as the Waithaka Youth Centre are trying to offer alternatives, but limited resources and alleged resistance from powerful alcohol cartels remain major obstacles.
Protesters also raised concerns over alleged bribery that allows illegal alcohol outlets to continue operating despite repeated NACADA raids, insisting that without accountability, more lives will be lost.