Nasa presidential candidate Raila Odinga.He has defended his plans to legalize changaa if elected president. Photo/nation.co.ke.National Super Alliance presidential contender Raila Odinga has for the first clarified his stand on claims that he intends to legalise traditional brews once elected as president.
The idea has sparked controversy countrywide with the Jubilee party terming it as a setback against alcoholism in the country.But speaking during an interview with Radio Maisha on Tuesday, the former prime minister said the plan was aimed at alleviating poverty among chang'aa sellers."The reason why people sell chang'aa is because of poverty and that is what we seek to address because Jubilee has failed to do so.There is a law that requires the government to set up a changaa distiller before it can be sold and so there is nothing illegal in what we intend to do," he said.Deputy President William Ruto recently scoffed at Mr Odinga saying he wanted to ruin the country by legalising an act they have been fighting all along.