By Okong’o Oduya
More than 10 thousand liters of illegal alcohol (Chang’aa) was apprehended yesterday by police officers at Lung’a village Matayos in Busia County.
According to Busia County Commissioner Mr. Mongo Chimwaga, the police officer ambushed the home where the alcohol was after getting a tip off from the public where they were able to arrest two people in possession of the brew were arraigned in court waiting for hearing.
The consignment was parked in a four liter plastic bags in eleven sacks is estimated to cost Sh1Million Kenyan shillings street value. He said that the alcohol was on transit to Nairobi before the police officers intervened. He further said that the officers are alert to deal with brewing, supplying and consumption of the liquor and they aim at eradicating it completely from the market in the county.
He applauded members of the public for cooperating with police officers in handling reports related to the consumption Chang’aa.
“We will continue partnering with the public to fight illegal alcohol. These businesses takes place in the villages, the perpetrators are our mothers, brothers and sisters if the public remain quite we will not win. We urge them to continue supporting us towards this fight,” he noted.
He further said that people in these business keeps changing tactics in operating their business a move that may find police officers unaware and the only way to get information is by relying on the public.
On his side the OCPD Busia County Mr. Bernard Kioko said there is need for those engaging in the business to change their business to others earn a living other than selling alcohol.
“There are many other economic activities these people can engage in. They can do farming or engage in other relevant businesses other than selling illegal brew,” He said
He further said on average the police officers arrest 2000 liters of changaa daily believed to come from across the border going to other towns in Kenya. He further noted that penetration of illegal alcohol from Uganda to Kenya is on rise adding that they will not rest until they deal with the situation.
This arrest come barely a day after more than 70kilograms of bhang worth 78, 000 KSH was found in Bumala heading to Kisumu from Uganda.
