Residents up in arms as toxic drinks resurface
What you need to know:
- The residents said development had slowed because villagers spent most of their time drinking instead of working on their farms.
- The residents, who have held demonstrations against the liquor barons, threatened to destroy the factories.
- Recently, Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari admitted that the illicit alcohol had resurfaced and called on the police to crack down on the manufacturers.
Toxic illegal alcohol is back in Kirinyaga County and residents have appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is touring the region, to act.
Residents said the region is awash with all sorts of liquors that rogue merchants manufacture secretly and distribute to local bars.
This vice is prevalent in Kirinyaga Central, Ndia West and Mwea West sub-counties.
“These people manufacture the liquor at night and deliver it to local bars where it is sold to youths and villagers,” said Mr Kamau Njoroge, a resident.
The liquor is even sold to students.
Locals said development had slowed because villagers spent most of their time drinking instead of working on their farms.
The residents, who have held demonstrations against the liquor barons, threatened to destroy the factories.
Recently, Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari admitted that the illicit alcohol had resurfaced and called on the police to crack down on the manufacturers.
Mr Gitari said consumption of illicit liquor and drug abuse had become the order of the day in his constituency.
He said 11 youths, including a form three student, have died of substance abuse in the area.
Meanwhile, a check by Nation showed that most bars in the region are selling alcohol outside the hours stipulated by law.
Bars open as early as 9am instead of 5pm.
