Women from Sinendet, Koige and Jogoo villages in Kamara Ward, Kuresoi have staged a peaceful demonstration protesting increased consumption of illicit brews by their husbands.
Allegedly, this consumption of alcohol has caused several deaths in the area.
The irate women on Sunday claimed that illicit alcohol had ruined their families leaving them as the sole bread-winners since men had shifted their loyalty and energy to drinking.
The demonstrators said men spend their days in drinking dens to the last coin adding that when they are penniless, they carry kitchenware and foodstuff to exchange for illicit liquor.
The protesters, some barefooted, walked for nearly 10km along the Nakuru- Eldoret Highway to the DO's office at Total Trading Centre chanting slogans condemning the provincial administration over laxity in eradicating illicit brews.
“We have decided to demonstrate because we are tired of government promises of fighting illicit brews. Our voices must be heard today. This is a wake-up call to government officials charged with overseeing that such brews are eradicated,” said Janet Chebet, one of the protesters.
Area MCA, Joseph Ngware, who joined the demonstrators said government authorities in the area have failed to wipe out illicit brews. He said claims of government personnel colluding with brewers are common. He called for the immediate reshuffle of police officers in the area.
Ngware said Nyumba Kumi Initiative members were being undermined by officers who are seen taking bribes adding that villages have been ignored by officers who drink from the local dens.
“We demand action and urgent closure of the said chang’aa dens. We also want the arrest of all suspected brewers in Kamara Ward,” said Ngware.
However, the assistant county commissioner refuted some of the claims made by the protestors revealing that together with police officers they had stemmed up patrols and dealt with criminals.