The fight against illicit brew by the government may not be won soon after a group of professionals from Kitutu Masaba constituency criticized the State for allegedly concentrating on ‘non-issues’ and failing to curb corruption.
Speaking at Nyamotenenio village on Wednesday where residents had been severely affected, speaker after speaker urged the government to license the chang’aa brewers since it is said to have helped parents from the region raise school fee for their children.
They threatened to rally against the Jubilee administration if it continued to crack a whip on unlicenced brewers.
“It is improper for the government to continue focusing on non-issues like fighting illicit brewers and failing to tackle corruption and insecurity. Our parents educated us by selling brew and therefore, whoever will make it difficult for the business, will be our enemy. The government ought to change its tactics or get it tough,” said Peter Mogaka, an accountant.
They urged the government to come up with ‘smart’ ways of handling the issues instead of causing million losses to the business that is said to be instrumental in the village.
“Farming is no longer appealing to us because there are no gains. Therefore, the government should find the way of protecting the business and desist from victimising everyone,” added Mr Samuel Moriasi.
Area chief Francis Rasusu differed with the professionals and challenged them to advice residents to adopt other alternative means of getting livelihoods.
“The brew might have helped to get you educated long time ago but things do change. Let our people engage in other businesses other than the illicit brew,” he said.