Residents in Bondeni village, Gitumaba location, Marmanet Ward, Laikipia County, have held peaceful demonstrations against the proliferation of illicit brews, which they regret causing harm to their families.
Residents, carrying twigs, expressed concern over the potential threat of illegal liquor to their security and their children’s education, three days after two close friends died from after consuming illicit liquor.
Preliminary reports had indicated that Anthony Muthiga Ngugi aged 50 years and his friend and neighbours William Wanyoike aged 48 years died while undergoing treatment at the Nyahururu County and Referral Hospital Tuesday moments after a drinking spree at a local den.
Residents led by Boniface Mung’ra and Alice Wangechi claimed the illicit brew was being transported from Lorien area in Rumuruti Municipality to the area by unscrupulous business people.
The brew is causing significant harm to the village’s men and youth, prompting the government to swiftly intervene and assist in resolving the issue. Whereas, the residents reported at least five deaths in related cases in the last four months, and attempts to seek assistance from local security agencies have been unsuccessful.
Instead, they alleged that some police officers have taken upon themselves to threaten those who raise alarm over the brews.
They observed that illicit brew trade is thriving in the area in their view, it is because of the laxity of security officers who are not conducting crackdowns and the slackness has been so suspicious and that they are now forced to think they are accomplices to the brewers.
Nyahururu Deputy County Commissioner Benard Ondino said efforts to track down the unscrupulous business people were underway, adding that the deaths of the two gentlemen was also being investigated.
He asked members of the public to support by providing information that could lead to the arrest of the business people adding that such information will be treated with utmost confidentiality.
By Antony Mwangi
