Residents, priest hurt in war on brews
Residents of Nyahururu in Laikipia County destroy illicit alcohol during an operation to destroy killer brews. Over 50,000 cartons of drinks were destroyed. PHOTO | STEVE NJUGUNA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Earlier, the residents raided the Munyiri Special Honey Beer Company in Kibingo Village, near Kerugoya Town, and destroyed property worth an estimated Sh100 million.
- In Kisii, an irate brewer smashed a pot of alcohol on National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse Nyanza regional coordinator Fr Lawrence Nyaanga during a raid in Kiamabundu.
- Chiefs and other senior administrators in the county raided illicit brew dens in Mpeketoni, Hindi and Mokowe and poured out brews called “Mkoma’ and “Makore” on Sunday.
Residents of Kirinyaga on Monday came under a hail of bottles and stones when they raided a brewery in Kigumo shopping centre to destroy illicit drinks.
Police fired in the air to disperse groups that were fighting during the fracas. The owner of the company, Mr Kinyua Mbui, was injured, and several other people were taken to Kerugoya Level Four Hospital.
Undeterred the residents, with the help of the police, destroyed thousands of litres of a brew known as “Kibuga”.
Kirinyaga MP Gachoki Gitari said he would ensure liquor laced with dangerous chemicals was destroyed.
Earlier, the residents raided the Munyiri Special Honey Beer Company in Kibingo Village, near Kerugoya Town, and destroyed property worth an estimated Sh100 million.
“We have lost property worth Sh100 million,” said the manager, Mr John Karimi.
In Gichugu Constituency, area MP Njogu Barua, with the help of police, destroyed illicit drinks.
In Kisii, an irate brewer smashed a pot of alcohol on National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse Nyanza regional coordinator Fr Lawrence Nyaanga during a raid in Kiamabundu.
The brewer ambushed the priest behind a thicket and struck as the man of God and police officers walked by. The pot broke on the cleric’s head.
The county’s Administration Police commandant, Mr Mohammed Kutsola, told the Nation that more than 2,800 litres of hooch were recovered in a house behind Kisii Prison in Kisii Town. Eleven people were arrested.
In Kericho, an MCA said small fines and short prison sentences are to blame for the illicit liquor.
In Kisumu, police raided an illicit liquor den in Nubian estate yesterday at midnight and seized at least 2,000 cartons of spirits.
A woman and her workers, who were caught moving the liquor, were arrested.
In Lamu, thousands litres of illicit brew were found abandoned during a crackdown at the weekend.
Chiefs and other senior administrators in the county raided illicit brew dens in Mpeketoni, Hindi and Mokowe and poured out brews called “Mkoma’ and “Makore” on Sunday.
Speaking to journalists yesterday, acting Lamu County Commissioner Fredrick Ndambuki said they were also fighting against drug abuse.
Reports by Timothy Kemei, Silas Apollo and Kalume Kazungu
