Police officers in Soin/Sigowet sub-county within Kericho County have arrested four suspects after they were found in possession of chang’aa and 5,000 litres of kangara which was destroyed in Chemogoch village on Sunday.
In a sting operation that lasted for 12 hours, the crackdown was conducted by a combined team of security personnel aimed at weeding out those behind the vice in the area.
Speaking to the press, Kericho County Police Commander Rico Ngare said 5,000 litres of kangara were destroyed while 35 litres of changaa was recovered from the four female suspects said to be notorious brewers in the area.
The kangara was found hidden in thickets of the vast and rough terrain existing in village in plastic jerricans of 20 and 50litres as well as in metal containers of 100 litres.
The said four suspects were being held at Sondu police station and would be arraigned in court on Monday with their seized illicit brews as exhibits in their respective cases.
“Sophia Langat was found with five litres of chang’aa, Mikah Rotich was found with 10 litres of chang’aa, Brenda Chemutai with 10 litres of chang’aa and Cicilia Chepkirui with 10 litres of the chang’aa illicit brew. The four will be arraigned in court to face charges of being in possession of illicit brews contrary to the law,” said Ngare.
The County Police Boss said police officers would not relent in the war against illicit brews in the County
“We will not relent in conducting crack down on illicit brews. Without fear or favour, we will continue until the County is free from these substances,” Ngare said.
Last month, police in Bureti sub-county in Kericho during an impromptu raid on illicit brews in Sugutek village impounded 630 litres of busaa and 85 litres of chang’aa.
In November 2022, President William Ruto directed the national and the provincial administration to crack down on illegal brews which have wreaked havoc on youth and men and had left families struggling to make ends meet.
By Sarah Njagi
