The huge amount of money she used to make in illicit brew trade still lingers in Susan Wambui's mind.

She also recalls with regret how she ruined the lives of several young people in Githioro sub-location of Dundori Ward, Bahati sub county in Nakuru.

When Mtaa Wangu caught up with Wambui we learnt that after several years, she has now given up on the trade and now focusing on sensitizing the community on effects of illicit brew.

Read: Man dies after consuming illicit brew in Bahati

Wambui reveals that she was involved with illicit brew trade when she was 17 years as her parents were also in the same business.

At that time, she did not see the negative impact of illicit brew to the community as the focus was on making money.

She narrates that after some time, she took over the trade from her parents.

Hers was very simple, making friends with the security team and ensuring none of her customers are arrested.

In fact, whenever her customers were arrested, Wambui would work hard to ensure that they did not spend even a day in police cells.

She recalls an incident in 1999 when several of her customers were arrested and she walked all the way to the police station and bailed them out.

"I had a lot of money from the business and I would do anything to save my customers from police arrests," she says.

Her long brewing history however came to a halt in 2000 when it occurred to her that many young people's lives had been destroyed.

Also Read: Rongai Chief who gives Food donations to Curb Illicit brew business

She also reveals that many families were devastated due to the illicit brew business, adding that she did not see the value as even the money she was making could not assist her in terms of development.

This led to her changing her ways and embracing church as a born again believer.

She now goes around the village sensitizing the residents on the need to shun illicit brew, hoping that the youth in the area learn from her mistakes.

"I have been born again since 2000 and I would now wish to help our young people in this area shun illicit brew for it has no value," she says.

Related: From Mombasa Village to New Jerusalem Village: Residents hope to vanquish demon of illicit brew with new village name

The administrators and security team in the area laud the move taken by Ms Wambui and are now working closely with her to wipe out the illicit brew menace.

pmambili@gmail.com

Former illicit brew trader leads fight against the vice in Bahati

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Pristone Mambili