Two people have allegedly lost their eyesight in Kirinyaga county after consuming illicit brew, even as Deputy President continues to sustain major onslaught on production and consumption of deadly alcohol in Mount Kenya region.
According to Kirinyaga County commissioner Naiyoma Tobiko, the two, Julius Munene, 28, and Joseph Bundi, 45, lost the ability to see when they consumed deadly liquor towards the end of March 2023.
The latest development seems to be a major setback to efforts by the security apparatus in stumping out the vice days after the DP warned National Government Administration Officers (NGAOS) and National Police Service (NPS) officers they risk summary sackings if the abet or are unable to deal with the vice in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
“Who has told you the liquor you are consuming and the drugs you are taking are good for human consumption? Together with the County government the fight against second generation liquor brewers will continue until they are all cracked down and permanently chased away from Kirinyaga County.” Tobiko said.
Tobiko’s sentiments were echoed by Kirinyaga Woman Representative Jane Maina at Kamiigua where she was distributing food to needy students.
The legislator urged the area residents to work closely with the Kenya Kwanza administration in the fight against the illicit brew menace in Kirinyaga County.
“You must report chiefs who are colluding with the distributors of second generation liquor in Kirinyaga. And those who bribe them to avoid being arrested since there are no manufacturers of second generation alcohol in Kirinyaga,” Maina said.
The latest development comes in the wake of growing concerns over alcohol and drug abuse in the Mt. Kenya region.
The vice is so rampant that the national government, through Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has launched a sensitization programme aimed at ending illicit brew business in the region.
The government has also declared war against illicit liquor manufacturers.
