Nandi County to Assist Illicit Brewers Transition to Legal Businesses

NANDI—The Nandi County Government has announced plans to help nearly 1,200 identified illicit brewers transition to legitimate businesses as part of an initiative to curb illegal alcohol production and its associated social problems.

According to Kenya News Agency, the County has identified 1,196 illegal brewers across the region. These individuals will be encouraged and supported to switch to lawful income-generating activities, understanding the health and legal risks associated with their current practices. Dr. Mitei expressed satisfaction with the collaborative efforts between the National and County governments to enforce recent laws aimed at regulating the sale and consumption of illicit alcohol.

The announcement was made during the distribution of county bursary cheques at Kipsebwo Vocational Training College in Aldai Constituency. Dr. Mitei highlighted the enforcement of laws related to bar businesses and illegal brews, which she says have been effective due to the partnership between the County and National Governments.

Nandi South Deputy County Commissioner Mokin Ptang’uny also spoke at the event, detailing the detrimental effects of illicit alcohol, commonly referred to as ‘changanya’—a mixture of ethanol and water—on the community, particularly young people. He linked the heavy consumption of such brews to underdevelopment and high crime rates in certain areas. “I promise that the government will never relent in this war against illicit brew. All suspected brewing sites will be raided and destroyed,” he asserted.

Mokin also emphasized the importance of vocational education as a preventive measure against youth involvement in illicit activities. He urged parents and guardians to encourage their children to enroll in government-sponsored courses now available in nearly every ward, highlighting that idleness often leads young people to substance abuse.

Addressing the rising suicide rates in the region, particularly among young people, Mokin described the statistics as alarming, with 12 suicides reported in Nandi South Sub-County in just six months. He called for community action to address and reduce these incidents.

Governor Stephen Sang also expressed concern over the issue and encouraged parents and guardians to provide stronger support systems for their children, stressing the importance of open communication within families to mitigate the challenges faced by youth. Governor Sang noted significant progress in addressing social challenges in Nandi, including the reduction of bars near educational institutions following government directives.

The event concluded with the launch of Sh120 million in bursary cheques aimed at supporting 12,331 students across universities, TVET colleges, secondary schools, and special needs programs.