More than 500 people have so far been arrested in an ongoing crackdown and charged in courts over the sale of illicit alcohol and drugs in Uasin Gishu county.
Police in Uasin Gishu county along with county enforcement officers have intensified the crackdown especially within slum areas around Eldoret town, where there has been high production and consumption of illicit alcohol.
According to the Uasin Gishu county police commander Benjamin Mwathi, in the last one week, police have netted and destroyed over 10,000 litres of Chang’aa and 10,000 litres of Kangara as well as over 1,100 litres of Busaa.
“There has been an upsurge in the sale of illicit brew within the six subcounties of Uasin Gishu. So far the operation has received tremendous support from the public, the crackdown will intensify in the coming days," Mwathi said.
He said some of the notorious brewers of the illicit liquor were arrested within Eldoret town and in Langas estate as well as Huruma and Kamukunji areas in the town.
“Things will not be the same because these illegal activities have been taking place close to police stations yet no action was taken. Now it won’t be business as usual.”
Mwathi was posted to the region a month ago and says he will work closely with chiefs and village elders in the intensified fight against illicit brews and drugs which he says have ruined the lives of many youth and even destroyed families.
The police boss said he had already taken action against police officers who have been identified by members of the public to have been colluding with the illicit brewers.
Residents claimed some of the officers had been collecting bribes daily to protect the brewers.
“We have names of officers implicated and action has already been taken. We continue to investigate others implicated in the said illegal business and they will be punished,” the police boss said.
Some of the notorious brewers taken to courts were given hefty fines to deter them from going back to the same business.
The operation also targets those selling hard drugs as well as bars and wines and spirits joints operating contrary to the law.
“Many have been operating without licenses, we have already taken action, for the wines and spirits. Customers are only allowed to take away the drinks from such joints,” he said.
Uasin Gishu governor Jonathan Bii has said he fully supports the crackdown on the illicit alcohol which has led to serious effects including death of many in the county.
-Edited by SKanyara
