Nyanza regional coordinator for National Authority for Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), Father Lawrence Nyaanga has asked the government to take a legal action against local administration that supports alcohol brewing in their areas of jurisdiction.
Addressing the press on Sunday when he led raids in destroying of alcohol in various parts of Kegati Location in Nyaribari Chache constituency, the anti-drug and alcohol abuse campaigner said the APs were responsible for the increase of the business noting that they collaborate and solicit for bribes from brewers to favor them.
Father Nyaanga who is also the chaplain for Kisii University said a joint effort is needed in order to fight alcohol and other substances to the last.
“We will not relent in the war against the hard liquor that has taken lives of our people. However, we will succeed if only we join hands in the fight against the venture. APs in most parts encourage brewing of alcohol by taking bribes to allow brewers continue with the business. I ask the government to charge them because they don’t know their role, there is no need of having them if they cannot stand info front in the fight against the alcohol business as one way of restoring peace and order in the community,” he said.
Father Nyaanga called on the public to assist them identify those homes that are engaged in the business so that they can raid and destroy the centers.
The anti-drug and alcohol campaigner said they will not arrest anybody but destroy everything that is used in making of the brews.
He also blamed the Judiciary for the non-diminishing brewing of alcohol, whereby he said petty fines against offenders encourage them to continue with the business.
In the raid, a total of 600 liters of refined chang’aa and 400 liters of raw chang’aa was destroyed, an operation that saw area sub-chiefs and villagers of all ages supporting Father Nyaanga in identifying those homes that are involved in the business.
the sub-chiefs who were in the raid included; Alexander Omwoyo of Kegati and Charles Sagwe of Nyamemiso sub-locations both from Kegati Location, and Evans Nyaribo from Riabamanyi sub location in the neighboring Nyanko Location.
The three administrative officers reiterated Father Nyaanga’s remarks that the Judiciary contributed greatly to the escalated brewing of alcohol and therefore suggested increase in fining against the offenders in order to make them feel the pinch and abandon the business.
The youth leader for Nyaribari Chache Joash Tai, who was also in the raid, hailed Father Nyaanga and pledged their support against alcohol brewing in the constituency.