Fight against illicit brews moves to supermarkets

By Michael Wesonga

Authorities in Eldoret have taken the fight against illicit liquor to supermarkets and major retail outlets.

Sub-County Commissioner Christopher Wanjau said the second-generation brews netted have been surrendered to the Kenya Bureau of Standards for tests.

“We cannot assume that supermarkets are not selling them,” he argued.

He insisted that no one will be spared in the fight regardless of their social standing.

Over 300 people have been apprehended and prosecuted for engaging in the production of illicit liquor or drinking outside stipulated hours.

“We are not badly hit by the menace because the operation has been ongoing. We want to completely eradicate production and sale of illicit brews,” he noted.

Eldoret West Sub-County Security Committee has urged illicit brewers to quit the trade and form groups to benefit from devolved funds.

Wanjau said the team was working with district officers and chiefs to sensitise locals at barazas.

He said they had also partnered with the Social Services Department to register former illicit brewers into groups for the purposes of starting alternative sources of income.

“We have declared total war on illicit liquor and second-generation alcohol, wines and spirits packaged in the banned plastic containers,” he explained.