Provincial administrators in Nyando Sub-county in Kisumu County have now called upon the judiciary to spell stiffer penalties to suspects who deal in illegal chang’aa brewing and trade.
The chiefs, from several locations in the sub-county have raised a red flag over the little fines meted on such offenders by the law courts.
Raymond Ojoro, a chief representing Kakola location said the courts are hindering the fight against the illegal brew in the area.
He said the little fines given to offenders in courts have made raids on chang’aa dens a mockery since most perpetrators return and continue with businesses as usual.
Speaking in his location when he raided chang’aa dens, Ojoro said the meager fines have made brewers and even the traders more courageous in carrying out the illegal trade.
“Once you arrest someone today, he goes to court, gets freed after paying very little fines and tomorrow he is back brewing,” said Ojoro.
Ojoro added that the fines should be reviewed so that they can act as punitive measures to individuals who are trading in Chang’aa.
He said the brew is breaking most families in the area, adding that during this festive season they will try to be vigilant to ensure that brewing dens are destroyed.
He at the same time decried the rampant use of motorcycles’ to ferry chang’aa adding that the use of speeding motorcycles has also hampered their fight against the brew.
Her Tura sub-location counterpart Assistant Chief Hellen Otieno appealed the judiciary to give the highest penalty to such offenders especially during this festive season in order to help fight the vice.