Police launch crackdown on illicit brewers in Samburu Central

Police have launched a crackdown on illegal manufacturers and distributors of illicit liquor in Samburu Central.

Officers arrested eleven suspects linked to the illegal business during a crackdown held at Loikas village in Maralal.

Samburu Central Sub County Police Commander Alex Rotich said during the crackdown, police recovered 9000 litres of kangara and 149 liters of chang’aa.

"Eleven suspects linked to manufacture and distribution of illicit liquor have been arrested in an ongoing crackdown in several villages of Samburu central," said Rotich.

The crackdown was launched after several complaints from members of the public that majority of youth were spending working time in drinking sprees.

Rotich said use of illicit liquor contribute to high rate of crimes, saying crackdown shall intensify to contain the menace.

“Residents in this village have been affected by this business, we will make sure that illicit brewing and consumption has been reduced to a minimal level or finish it, people are just drinking instead of taking care of livestock,” he said.

Contrary to police directive, chang’aa brewers said they are forced to engage in the business in order to raise income to cater for their families’ basic needs.

Ms Rose Akiru, a brewer said lack of unemployment should be addressed amid crackdown on manufacture of illicit brew.

“I had been going against government’s directive against brewing to do this business because of my children, I have earned and educated my children from it, if it were not for my children, I couldn’t have engaged myself in this business, but I have stopped and praying God for an alternative source of income,” she said.

Ms Franciscah Elimlim, a resident, said that they don’t have any other way to generate income apart from brewing illicit alcohol as she complained of destruction of property during the raid.

“If we stop this business what shall we eat, most of us have been educated by money raised from illicit brewing, these people should stop frustrating us damaging our drums because chang’aa has never killed anyone,” she said.

Maralal location chief Selina Lemakara urged the locals to embrace alternative source of livelihood.

The Chief said crackdown is aimed at reducing stealing, school dropout among children, and marriage break ups.