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Scores have been arrested and dozens of distilleries closed.
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In Gachororo slums in Juja town, brewers attacked and injured Juja Police Station OCS John Misoi as he led a crackdown.
Image: FILE
Debate on illicit brew continues to elicit reactions amid an ongoing nationwide crackdown on those behind the trade whose outcome has been the loss of lives and devastating health complications like blindness.
Scores have been arrested and dozens of distilleries closed.
In Gachororo slums in Juja town, brewers attacked and injured Juja Police Station OCS John Misoi as he led a crackdown.
The area lies within Mt Kenya, one of the regions that have continued to bear the brunt of illicit brew and drug abuse particularly among the youth.
Former Kukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando on Tuesday weighed in on the matter and advised on the best approach to end the menace which leaders have warned now threatens to affect an entire generation if not arrested early.
“Illicit alcohol, alcoholism and narcotics are killers. Deaths, dipsomania, wrecked lives, painful truth in Mt Kenya, Nairobi, Coast,” the former legislator pointed out.
“Lasting Solution? Eradicate the production of the poisons at the source. Regulate. Jail the peddlers. Also, stop corruption to give hope to jobless youths.”
Doctors attending to the Juja OCS at Avenue Hospital in Thika said he had an operation to remove an arrow in the leg.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who is spearheading the war on illicit brew and narcotics visited him in hospital and wished him a quick recovery whilst commending the police boss for his bravery.
“These are the risks that we have all accepted as duty in the line of duty and I want to commend you for your bravery and those of your men. The fact that they are attacking you shows that you are doing good work,” the DP said.
As of March 25, the government said the nationwide enforcement programme against illicit alcohol, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances had seen 378 raids conducted on illicit alcohol.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki said at least 106 suspects had been arrested and arraigned, over 9,500 unlicensed alcoholic drinks selling premises shut and 12 distilleries of toxic brews destroyed to disable further production.
The CS said the war on illicit alcohol, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances entails the complete suppression of both the supply and demand.
He said treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration of addicts remain a key government objective to suppress demand.