Concerns in Kirinyaga over rising cases of illicit brew consumption among elderly

Gichugu Deputy County Commissioner Kamau Maina on Tuesday said three women were found inside a local bar during a recent security operation targeting illicit alcohol in the area.

Maina said some of the women were also among those who attempted to flee as security officers carried out the operation, including women aged 70 and above.

The administrator said residents of Kavote had told him that women were increasingly frequenting bars where illicit alcohol is sold.

He said the three women arrested during the operation had consumed illicit alcohol and referred to the police vehicle used during enforcement operations as “Ukimwi”, claiming it arrested everyone it encountered.

The latest concerns come amid a history of deaths linked to illicit alcohol in Kirinyaga.

In 2023, 17 people died after consuming illicit alcohol in Kangai, Mwea West Sub-County, while others reportedly suffered blindness. Eight of those who died were women, including two aged 73 and 83.

“Not only men are affected by the deadly alcohol but also women, but it is serious and the elderly don't want to hear this,” a regional coordinator said.

Residents have also raised concerns over the emergence of new brands of illicit alcohol with names such as Kathuri Ngui and Mugondora.

Joseph Njeru, a resident of Kamugunda, said residents had intercepted vehicles suspected of distributing illicit alcohol in Mbiri and Kamugunda.

“We chased away the vehicles that were distributing that deadly alcohol in Mbiri and Kamugunda,” Njeru said.