Molo, a vital food basket in Nakuru County and a densely populated rural municipality, is grappling with a severe and pervasive issue of illicit brew consumption.

This deeply rooted scourge has far-reaching negative consequences for the community's social fabric, economic stability, and public health.

Consumption of the deadly drinks is prevalent, particularly among the youth and individuals from low socio-economic backgrounds, destroying their lives as well as the region's productivity.

The slum areas of Casino, Tayari, Mtaa Wa Saba, Michorwe and Kasarani in Elburgon are perceived to be the notorious hotspots where the sale and abuse of the brew is done with impunity.

Here illicit brew is a topic that only a few can dare discuss in public. Not even the administration officers who are charged with its elimination are comfortable engaging in it.

Families have been losing their loved ones but are still too afraid to confront the matter or perhaps lost hope in the systems.

The sale of the poisonous chang’aa is a thriving business in these estates whose dwellers are under the york of unscrupulous dealers who have connections at the high offices.

From as early as 8 am, the population is already drunk.

The sight of staggering young men and women is common. Others can be seen lying unconsciously in the open fields after getting intoxicated.

The drink which has turned the population into zombies is now threatening the productivity of Molo whose economy is supported by agricultural activity.

With the strong and productive population trapped in the vice, a huge gap in the workforce is created, particularly in the agricultural sector, which defines Molo as a food basket.

This has a direct impact on household income and overall food security as the resources are diverted into supporting the drug abuse behavior, pushing families deeper into poverty.

Of major concern is the numerous deaths that are associated with the consumption of the poisonous drinks.

Locals claim the current illicit brew whose preparation and concentration is totally different from the traditional Chang’aa is more hazardous due to the dangerous chemicals it contains.

Njenga Matendo, a former councillor cum businessman and preacher notes that the consumption of the brew has led to the deaths of many people in the area.

According to him, families are used to collecting dead bodies of their members from the open fields, drainage channels and rivers where they fall accidentally.

Others who fall into depression after losing hope end up committing suicides after consuming the drinks.

“Here in Molo, you are either a victim of this illicit brew or affected by it. If you or your family member is not trapped into the consumption of the brew, you become a victim of petty crimes including thefts and robberies,” says Mr Matendo.

The Changaa menace in Molo is attributed to the many vices in the areas including the high rate of teenage pregnancies, school drop outs, defilements as well as high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases.

Ms Ann Nyokabi of Groots Kenya notes that despite unemployment being considered a major cause for the high prevalence of the illicit brew laxity and complacency by the law enforcement agencies is attributed to its thriving.

Reports indicate that some police officers and local administrators are allegedly corrupt, receiving bribes from illicit brew traders, which undermines enforcement efforts.

Residents have voiced concerns about the perceived laxity of security officers in conducting crackdowns, leading to suspicions of complicity. In some instances, chiefs have even been accused of condoning the sale of illicit brews and housing brewers.

One of the administrative officers, Mr Phanuel Kimathi the Assistant County Commissioner Molo appeared to defend the situation by insisting that there is no illicit brew in Molo.

Despite admitting not having set foot in the affected estates Mr Kimathi claims the cases of arrests on illicit brew sellers are very minimal based on the report he usually sends to his boss on a daily basis.

“I can tell you clearly that there is no illicit brew in Molo. From the reports I compiled from my chiefs, we do not have cases of illicit brew here and even my bosses know this,” said Mr Kimathi.

Surprisingly most of the chang’aa brewing estates lie a few metres from the Molo police stations or sub county administrations offices.

Molo sub county Commissioner Mr Ngelai Ole Chuta hung up the phone immediately Mtaa Wangu asked him to comment on the matter.

Tomorrow: We look at families who have lost their loved ones to illicit brew and why security personnel have turned a blind eye to this menace.

Sumu Halali: Inside fight against illicit brew that led Molo chief to resign

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Bret Sanya