Women lead war on illicit brew

Women in Nyahururu Sub County of Laikipia County have intensified the war on illicit and second generation brews in the region as residents continued to call on the county administration to close down all Wines and Spirits outlets.

The women stormed Karuga trading centre in the outskirt of Nyahururu town and broke into several pubs where they confiscated the brew before destroying it.

Led by the Laikipia County Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization (MYWO) branch, the women protested rising cases of drunkard youths and men found lying on the roadside despite a spirited campaign to destroy the liquor following a presidential order over a month ago.

The protestors while carrying twigs and chanting anti -brew slogans accused a local chief of colluding with traders dealing with illegal brews.

They claimed that when he was called to participate in the day-long exercise, he fled and switched off his mobile phones.

The women confiscated over 500 cartons of the liquor from several pubs and rented houses where some of the brew was found hidden under the beds.

They called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to ensure that Wines and Spirits licenses are banned and that the war on illicit brews is continued in order to save the lives of young people.

About two weeks ago, President Kenyatta said the war on illict brew will not relent and the Government will soon start mechanisms to rehabilitate youth you have been affected by the addiction.

The President said the National Government and counties will soon embark on programs to empower the thousands of youth who were rendered economically unproductive by the consumption of illegal alcohol.

The President said illicit brew has broken the youth and families in many parts of the country.

“When you turn the youth into addicts of illegal alcohol you are crippling the society and the whole country,” he said.