Man nabbed with 35 litres of chang’aa in Machakos

The man was nabbed during a swoop conducted by a multi-agency team at Ngomeni village in Katine on Saturday.

Matungulu deputy county commissioner Everline Wekesa said 1,060 litres of Kangara was also seized and destroyed during the crackdown.

“During the operation, the team successfully seized and destroyed one metallic brewing tank, approximately 1,060 litres of Kangara, plastic containers,” Wekesa told the Star.

Wekesa said other than 35 litres, the suspect was found in possession during his arrest; he also had a cooler and distillation pipes.

They will be produced in court by the prosecution as exhibits.

She said the suspect was escorted to Tala police station for further processing.

He will be arraigned at Kangundo Law Courts on Monday.

The government crackdown on illicit brews and substance abuse was led by Wekesa.

The administrator said the 5.30 am joint operation was mounted following a tip–off from members of the public.

The operation involved the Tala/Nguluni NGAO teams, Sub County Police Commander (SCPC) Matungulu and his team, enforcement officers from National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) Nairobi led by the Chief Inspector, the Deputy DCI Matungulu Sub-county, AP commander Matungulu Sub County and members of the Community Policing team.

Following the raid, the DCC Matungulu convened a public baraza where key issues were addressed at length.

The issues included dangers and negative impacts of illicit brews on the community, alternative sources of livelihood and income generation, the role of the community in eliminating illicit brews and the importance of timely sharing of intelligence.

The revival of the Katine Community Policing team and coordination of joint operations among security agencies were also discussed in the meeting.

During the baraza, the Chief Inspector from NACADA also shared a toll-free helpline number (1192) through which members of the public can directly report cases related to illicit brews and substance abuse.

Wekesa said the crackdowns will be sustained as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to eradicate illicit brews and substance abuse in the area.

“We have decided to be doing weekly crackdowns not only in Katine area, but across the entire sub-county,” she said.

The administrator said illicit brew had affected many families in the area, rendering some locals sick and unproductive.