Counties leading in consumption of illicit brews put on radar
Western Kenya has been found to be the leading region in consumption of illicit brews as revealed by data from NACADA. Here are some of the reasons why there is high rate of consumption of this illicit brews:
Complacency by police and public health officials is one of the reasons cited for the rise in illicit brew trade.
County commissioners have also cited political interference, porous Kenya-Uganda border, inadequate vehicles and the county governments’ failure to co-operate with security agencies as a hindrance to the fight against the trade.
According to Western regional commissioner, the thriving illegal trade has led to an increase in insecurity cases and domestic violence because of excessive consumption of alcohol.
The most common brews in the region are chang’aa, busaa and sachets, which is sourced from Uganda.
“We arrest these people and the next thing you receive are phone calls from politicians and some of them are very senior politicians who ask you why you are harassing their supporters and you are forced to release them,” acting Bungoma county commissioner Duncan Okwach said.
Okwach said ninety per cent of bars in the county operate with one business permits being licensed by the Liquor Licensing Boards.
Acting county commissioner for Busia said the war against the illegal trade has been compounded by the fact that chang’aa is licensed in Uganda and easily finds its way into the country.
He said that chang’aa is distilled less than five kilometres from the Kenya-Uganda border and those who engage in the illicit trade sneak it into the country using Probox cars and boda boda.
Vihiga county commissioner said cases of complacency by police and administration officials is the main challenge to the fight against illicit brews.
Kakamega county commissioner blamed poverty and joblessness as the cause to the booming sale of illicit brews.
Nacada rates the region at 23.8 per cent followed by Coast at 13.9 per cent and Central at 13.8 per cent.
