The Kikuyu Council of Elders now want importation of ethanol banned, saying it is contributing to the illicit brew crisis, mainly in Central Kenya.
The elders under the Kiama Kia Maa said they are ready to work with the government in dealing with the vice that has reduced thousands of young people to zombies.
The elders said they have started engaging the youth on the need to stop using the poisonous brews that have wreaked havoc in many homes.
Association national chairman Ndung’u Gaithuma said the illicit brews pose one of the biggest threats to the community.
He said they fully support the ongoing war by the government against the poisonous liquor being sold to youths in Central Kenya.
“We are deeply disturbed by the sale and consumption of illicit brews by our youths and we shall work keenly with the state to stem this,” he said.
Gaithuma was addressing journalists in Naivasha after a colourful ceremony to anoint Gichina King’ara as the new Nakuru County Patron for the community.
The chairman took issue with the composition of the parliamentary bipartisan committee saying the community, which is the largest in the country, is not represented.
President William Ruto-led Kenya Kwanza and the Raila Odinga-led Azimio coalition recently unveiled a 14-member bipartisan team for negotiations at Parliament.
On the high cost of living, Gaithuma attributed the current crisis to climate change, the war between Russia and Ukraine and global inflation.
He challenged farmers to take advantage of the ongoing rains to plant certified seeds noting that this was one way of addressing the high cost of food.
“The high cost of living is not only in Kenya but a global thing contributed by many factors including the war between Russia and Ukraine,” he said.
Elder Ng’ere Mwangi said they were working closely with the government and the church in addressing the challenges facing the country.
Women coordinator Catherine Wamucemi admitted that the illicit brews had negatively affected the youth who had failed to even marry.
“Unemployment and idleness has played a part in these cases of illicit consumption and we should do everything possible to deal with these poisonous concoctions,” she said.
