A group of women from Kapkombe in Bartolimo, Baringo North subcounty, on Monday marched to protest the rampant sale and consumption of drugs and illicit alcohol.
Holding placards and carrying twigs, they begun their walk as early as 3am and trekked for about 15km to the national government administrative offices in Kabartonjo town to present their grievances.
Magdaline Kipkechem, one of the women said enough is enough, adding that they no longer see the future of their children. She said both young boys and girls have dropped out of school and resorted to selling, drinking and abusing drugs.
Kipkechem said the perpetrators are now selling drugs in Kapkombe forest and a nearby dispensary gate without fear of arrest. “We are left wondering what the security agencies are doing,” she said.
She said after consuming the alcohol and the drugs, the youths especially, have turned into thieves and break into people’s homes at night to steal farm produce like maize, beans and animals for sale.
“The drunkards roam with weapons at night stealing our farm produce, forcefully felling down trees to sell timber. We don’t have peace and we are now calling upon the authorities to take swift action to arrest the situation,” Kipkechem said.
Nancy Cheburet said their husbands and youth were now drinking and sleeping in the dens. “Immorality is really getting worse,” she said.
They said they have since reported the matter to the local chiefs but when the culprits are arrested, they bribe the authorities and are set free.
“Sometimes when they get arrested or arraigned, their friends or family members carry on with the illicit business until they are released, so they end up frustrating us,” Cheburet said.
Kabartonjo Assistant County Commissioner Adamson Waithaka addressed the protestors said indeed, alcoholism is becoming a challenge in the area.
He said they have already arrested and charged some culprits, adding that as security officers, they shall now take tough action against the notorious brew dealers.
“We are now closing in on the illicit brew dealers who are selling uncertified alcohol to unsuspecting residents,” Waithaka said.
Subcounty administrator Helen Juma said as county government, they have so far licensed only four bars in Kabartonjo and Kipsaraman, “the rest are operating illegally.”
She also condemned those operating unlicensed casinos and pool tables in the local trading centres, hence encouraging idleness.
Community leader and professional Sammy Chelang’a lauded the women for taking the initiative to protest urging the authorities to listen to them and act appropriately.
“It is so shameful that our people are being impoverished not because they are lazy but due to some few individual drunkards who go stealing their farm produce and destabilising them,” Chelang’a said.
He further attributed the heightened alcoholism to joblessness and family-related stress and conflicts among the youth, calling on the elected leaders to assist them find alternative sources of income.
He also condemned the authorities who take bribes to release the culprits saying as professionals, they are not going to keep quiet while lives and livelihoods are being lost. “We must rise us and speak out,” he said.
-Edited by SKanyara
