Outrage as Waititu takes on 'killer brews' with a hammer

Kabete legislator Ferdinand Waititu watches as youths break into wine and spirits outlets in Gikuni. The MP led hundreds of residents in destroying ‘illicit brews’. [Photo: John Karume/Standard]

Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu on Saturday led the youth in the constituency in breaking into bars and destroying liquor worth thousands of shillings, in a move aimed at saving young people from alcoholism.

The mid-afternoon exercise was carried out in various shopping centres in the constituency, with the group moving from one bar to another and breaking into the premises using sledge hammers and hacksaws.

This however angered many bar owners who insisted they were licensed entrepreneurs operating within the law.

Antony Kinyanjui, a liquor distributor, is among the traders who were left counting huge losses after his beer trucks were attacked by the group and vandalised. He says they looted and drank all the beer in transit.

"I distribute alcohol that is inspected and licensed by the government. It is wrong for a politician to incite youths to destroy and loot people's property. The brands that were looted belong to Kenya Breweries and other licensed brewers," said Mr Kinyanjui.

In Wangige town, the youths broke into popular bars where they scrambled for the alcohol and drank to their fill. Others took advantage of the chaos and looted revellers' cash and personal items.

Presidential orders

A few police officers who were deployed in the area to quash the destruction were forced to watch from a distances for fear of being overwhelmed by the large number of the youths.

The MP supported his actions, saying he could not allow young men to continue dying of alcoholism. Mr Waititu said he was following President Uhuru Kenyatta's directive 'to eradicate illicit brews'.

"We have buried several people in this area as a result of alcoholism. Most young people in this area cannot sire children as a result of this trend. So we have decided that this must not go on," said Waititu.

The legislator alleged that a lot of alcohol brands being sold in the area were laced with substances that were killing the consumers, and called on all youths to unite in the fight against alcoholism.

"We have in the past asked bar owners to only sell licensed and inspected liquor but it seems they are not heeding our advice. There is no doubt that some brands are laced by poison after four people died in Kiandutu slums in Thika last week," said Waititu.

However, anti-drugs campaigner Gladys Chania says it was wrong to destroy other people's properties, adding that the move will not solve the issue of alcoholism in the county.

"It is not right to destroy property. We do not live by the rule of the jungle. We have a functioning government that can deal with illicit brews," said Ms Chania.

And in Murang'a County, the provincial administration has come under heavy criticism over failure to deal with sub-standard brews that have flooded the market.

Senate Deputy Speaker Kembi Gitura, MPs Clement Wambugu (Mathioya) and Peter Kamande (Maragua) blamed county commissioner Kula Hache for failing to control the rate of alcoholism.

Speaking at Murang'a Teachers Training College during the County Education Day, which was officiated by Governor Mwangi wa Iria, the legislators claimed some of the chiefs were condoning alcoholism in their areas.

The deputy speaker told Ms Hache, who was present, that her juniors have been compromised, and were unable to deal with alcoholism.

 Unknown producers

"All political leaders are working towards reduction of alcoholism but feel frustrated by officers colluding with brewers," said Mr Kembi.

Mr Wambugu claimed many of the alcoholic brands in most outlets were sourced from unknown manufacturers.

The leadership, he said, must work to save the region from creeping back to alcoholism.

"These brews are turning our youth into zombies. We must confront this issue once and for all to save the future generation," said Wambugu.

Ms Hache admitted excessive drinking was a challenge in the region, but also accused the residents of not liaising with the security agencies to report those flouting the law.