Police raid chang’aa dens, net 13,000 litres

By ERIC ABUGA  and NAFTAL MAKORI            

Kisii, Kenya: The police in Kisii and Nyamira counties on Sunday netted and destroyed 13,000 litres of illicit brew.

The impromptu Sunday morning raid was mounted by regular and Administration police.

In Kisii county’s Bobaracho area, the officers, led by Kisii Central OCPD Tom Mutysia and AP Chief Inspector Ronald Kirui, destroyed over 10,000 litres of kangara (used to brew changa’a) and netted 300 litres of the liquor from dens.

Mutysia said they raided a number of homes in the village notorious in the changa’a business. The netted liquor, according the officer, was to be supplied to a number of shopping centres in Kisii County.

FEW LITRES

“This brew has ruined lives of many youths. Those engaging in the illicit brew business should abandon it and look for alternative ways of earning a living. We will be conducting the raids until we get rid of the business,” the OCPD said.

Kirui said the drink leads to several domestic conflicts apart from being a health hazard.

“We urge the community to avoid consuming this killer drink. Those involved in the brewing of the illicit beer should know that police will not rest until they are all arrested and charged in court,” Kirui warned.

Kirui urged members of the public to assist law enforcers in the fight against illicit brew by giving information that would lead to the arrest of those who engage in the practice within their vicinities.

In Nyamira County, the officers destroyed more than 3,000 litres of the brew.

During the raid led by County AP Commander Mwarungu Mwandoe, Deputy County Commissioner Denis Kirui, OCPD Rico Ngari and Nyamira South AP Commander Saidi Ndiema, over 10 people were arrested.

A few litres of kangara and over 20 litres of chang’aa were retained to serve as exhibit when the suspects are arraigned in court.