Residents of Nyakori village in Nyamira County were on Tuesday left puzzled after recovering more than 200 litres of illicit brew which had been mistaken for water.
Drama started when schoolchildren discovered the brew which was well-packed in 20 litres and abandoned in the roadside before reporting the incident to elders.
However, according to witnesses, they had first dismissed the incident terming is as ‘water containers’ only to discover later that it was distilled local liquor.
“When I first arrived at the scene I thought it was water given the drought that is experienced here. But after a close range view, I realised it was chang’aa which seemingly had been distilled few hours before,” said Charles Michira.
“It is shocking since we associate illicit brew with secrecy. Brewers always want to conceal their business given that most of them are operating without permission from relevant authorities,” Michira added.
Area chief Wilson Abaya confirmed the incident and called upon locals to be vigilant and help in exposing those who were dragging the community behind by engaging in brewing.
“I cannot be able to ascertain the source of this illicit brew since we have just found it. The motive of the people behind is unknown. We should be vigilant and help expose such people,” he said.
Police from Nyagachi took custody of the brew and promised expeditious investigations to unearth those behind the incident.