Kisii University chaplain Father Lawrence Nyaanga has urged the government to declare brewing and consumption of chang’aa a national disaster as it has ruined many lives.
Nyaanga, who led a group of members’ community policing on raiding chang’aa dens at Kionganyo and Bobaracho sub-locations in Kisii County said that the illicit business has made many families lead miserable lives.
“I am urging the government to declare brewing and consumption of the illicit brew a national calamity because it has ruined many lives,” Nyaanga said.
During the raid, over 3, 000 liters of raw Kangara and 140 of chang’aa were destroyed, as well as tools of trade.
“It is surprising that most of the dens we raided are situated a few metres from Kisii High School and Kisii University main campus. The church will not sit and watch as a few people destroy the future of young people,” Nyaanga said.
He accused the police and chiefs for promoting the illegal trade by taking protection fees from the brewers, adding that the war against crime will not be won when such businesses are conducted in broad daylight without action being taken.
“It really saddening because the environment under which the brew is being made is worse because the brewers bury plastic tanks bearing kangara in the soil and cover them with dirty materials,” he said.
“The church is working closely with the police and NACADA to stem out the vice from society but there is need for seriousness from all the stakeholders,” he added.