There was drama in Ojola area in Kisumu West Sub County after angry villagers in the company of police officers stormed several homes where chang’aa is brewed.
The villagers, mostly women, were angered by an incident where a 28-year-old man who was working in one of the homes where the illicit alcohol is brewed died. The deceased reportedly fell inside one of the containers full of chang’aa and died instantly. His body was allegedly dumped in a bush.
According to the brother of the deceased, Joshua Owino, his brother’s body was however discovered after a four-day search.
“My brother works here in the village for another woman who brews chang’aa here. It has taken us four days to get his body. He fell inside Kangaraa which is used to make the chang’aa,” he said.
Kisumu West District DC Edwin Chabari who also joined the locals in the raid said illegal brew of chang’aa was rampant in the area. He says most of the brewers have always been arrested, charged and released on bond but still continue to brew changa’aa.
He announced that the area Chief and Assistant Chief have been suspended indefinitely over the matter adding that a postmortem will be carried out to ascertain the death of the man.
“Am horrified by the state of illicit brews in this area, I want to assure you that the government will take stern action against those who abet this activity,” he said.
During the raid, more than 10,000 litres of the illicit brew were destroyed but no arrests were made since many brewers fled after getting wind of the raid.