Police officers in Kericho County have impounded a total of 6,770 litres of illicit brew in the ongoing Rapid Results Initiative that was launched by President Dr William Ruto with the aim of eradicating the illicit alcohol in the County.
Kericho County Commissioner Mr Kamau Karungo revealed enforcement officers have been cracking down on the illicit brew dens in all the six Sub-Counties and so far, 4,347 litres of ‘busaa’ and 2,423 litres of ‘changaa’ have been nabbed.
The County Commissioner further said that 368 persons found brewing the illicit liquor have been arrested and charged in a court of law, stressing that the rigorous exercise of eliminating the illegal alcohol will continue.
Mr Karungo who also read the President’s speech during the Jamhuri day celebrations at Sosiot grounds in Belgut Sub-County urged the members of the public to shun the use of illicit brew saying it had destroyed families subjecting them to abject poverty.
“The 368 suspects were charged and fined Sh. 3.9 million for selling the illicit brew to the locals and soon we will crack down on Kapsoit Centre which is also notorious for the brewing and sale of illicit liquor,” added Mr Karungo
His sentiments were echoed by the Kericho County Governor Dr Eric Mutai who graced the Jamhuri Day event saying the fight against illicit brew in the County will continue in order to secure the health of the residents while putting on notice government officers alleged to be owners of bars that brew and sell the illicit liquor.
The governor also promised to upgrade Sosiot Hospital for residents of Belgut Sub-County to start benefitting from quality healthcare services within their locality.
“We have plans of building two surgical wards in Sosiot Hospital and supply the facility with sufficient medicine.” added Dr Mutai
Dr Mutai also intimated that from January 2023, the national government intends to construct a 6 billion Level 6 referral hospital in Kericho County that will serve the residents of the South Rift region.
He was flanked by his Deputy Eng Fred Kirui who mentioned that the subsidized fertilizer is now available in the Kericho National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) at a cost of Sh. 3,500.
“The NCPB will avail the subsidized fertilizers in Sub-Depots in the Sub-counties within Kericho County so that the farmers can have easy access to the fertilizers to enhance the growth of the crops including tea, coffee, maize at the subsidized price,” said Eng. Fred
The Kericho Woman Representative Ms Beatrice Kemei urged women to report cases of Gender Based Violence, Female Genital Mutilation among other issues violating their human rights.
Among the hundreds of residents congregated at the Sosiot grounds to celebrate the 59 years of Kenya’s Independence were the local Members of the County Assembly and village elders.
By Kibe Mburu and Dominic Cheres
