Muhoroni: Muhoroni Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Abdihakim Jubat has declared war and mounted swoops to get rid of illicit brews and drug dens across the Sub-County. Jubat directed Chiefs and their assistants to champion initiatives to flush out notorious illicit brewers by closing down drinking dens in all the locations and sub-locations.
According to Kenya News Agency, Jubat spoke during a public engagement forum at Nyang’oma Chief’s Camp, where he issued a two-month ultimatum to ensure the campaign against illicit brew succeeds in Muhoroni Sub-County. He emphasized that all Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs must fight the brewing, sale, and consumption of illicit alcohol in their areas of jurisdiction.
Jubat expressed optimism about the progress towards ensuring every location and sub-location is declared illicit brew-free by the end of the year. He acknowledged the impressive network of Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, and village elders in efforts to eliminate illicit brew and drug substance abuse. Jubat assured that local administrators are doing a commendable job at the grassroots level and expressed hope that Muhoroni Sub-County would soon be an illicit brew-free zone.
The DCC warned that wherever the sale or brewing of illicit alcohol is happening, it is an indication that the chief or their assistants have allowed it to continue. He cautioned that Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs who fail to act would be dismissed, asserting that a drinking community cannot be tolerated.
Area Member of Parliament James Koyoo, speaking at the same event, decried the rise in illicit brew trade in the area and lauded the DCC’s efforts to rein in the perpetrators. Koyoo expressed concern over the widespread consumption of homemade brews, particularly chang’aa, which has become increasingly common in the North East Kano location in Masogo/Nyangoma ward.
Koyoo highlighted the presence of notorious brewers in Ng’ech area, especially in North East Kano and other areas, with well-known dens supplying large quantities of chang’aa to external buyers. He cautioned government officials and police officers who are abetting the proliferation of drugs and illicit alcohol in Muhoroni, asserting that their days are numbered.
According to the latest statistics from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), the current alcohol use prevalence in the Nyanza region is 6.3 percent, against a national average of 11.8 percent.