In an effort to discourage illicit brewers from selling alcohol, a security multi-agency team in Laikipia East Sub County has destroyed 2200 litres of Kang’ara and apparatus used for conducting the business.
Laikipia East sub county Police Commander John Tarus speaking at the Nanyuki police station where the destruction was conducted, said that the apparatus was earlier used as exhibits at the Nanyuki law court during the alcohol crackdown in the region.
“We have decided to destroy all the apparatus seized during the illicit brew crackdown operations to ensure they are not used again in brewing alcohol,” said Tarus.
He confirmed that the items destroyed included 100 plastic drums, 200 pieces of 20 litres jerricans, 80 pieces of metallic drums and jikos. Further, 20 cartons of assorted second generation liquor and six cartons of instant yeast were destroyed.
Area Deputy County Commissioner Patrick Muli said that cases of the exhibits which were destroyed had been completed.
“The exhibits had been presented in court and the cases completed. We would not allow these items to get back in the wrong hands and our aim is to ensure our area is free from drug and alcohol use,” said Muli.
Nanyuki-based Pastor James Kinyua who had witnessed the burning of the alcohol brewing apparatus said that alcohol was root of all evil and people were expected to devise innovative ways to survive and ditch the illegal trade.
On his part, Nanyuki location Nyumba Kumi chairman, Paul Gituthu thanked the government for its effort in eradicating the vice and at the same time noted that the exercise had started to bear fruits.
Meanwhile, the security team involved in the alcohol crackdown operations has decried that courts are frustrating their efforts by not imposing hefty fines to illegal alcohol brewers to deter them from getting back to their craft.
By Muturi Mwangi
