Police commander Peter Isanda said a combined team of security personnel and local administrators made impromptu raids at the village and netted 630 litres of busaa and 85 litres of chang'aa.
The suspects, two men and three women, are said to be notorious brewers within the village located in Techoget location where the drinks were found buried inside their houses in plastic jerry cans.
“The mode of concealment of the illicit brews is very unhygienic because they hide it inside holes within their compounds in dirty places and the chang'aa that has been distilled is hidden up the ceiling within their houses,” said Isanda.
He said the five suspects would be arraigned with their seized illicit brews as exhibits.
“Emily Mibei was found in possession of 80 litres of busaa and five litres of chang'aa. Denis Kipsang Kibet was found in possession of 60 litres of chang'aa and 150 litres of busaa. Caroline Chepkorir Kirui was found in possession of 400 litres of busaa and 20 litres of chang'aa. Kipngetich Kurgat was found in possession of 20 litres of busaa and Nancy Langat was found in possession of 15 litres of chang'aa. The five will be arraigned in court to face charges of being in possession of illicit brews, which is illegal,” said Isanda.
Isanda reiterated that police officers in the area will not relent in the war against illicit brews in the county. “We will not relent in conducting raids whether it is during the day or at night. We will continue with the war on illicit brews until Bureti sub-county is free from these illegal substances,” he added.
He appealed to members of the public to give information on anyone brewing and selling the illegal brews, which were destroying families and the younger generation.
“Members of the public ought to volunteer information of anyone brewing or selling these illicit brews within their vicinities, which is destroying the young generation. Those who we arrest are from 40 years and below and the destruction is evident when you arrive in their homes where you find misery and extreme poverty,” said Isanda.
Last month, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua directed the national government administrators at county and regional levels to crackdown on illicit brews, saying alcoholism and drug abuse was now a menace among the youth and must be dealt with decisively.
