Mt. Kenya residents want DP Gachagua to spare muratina to save ruracio

By Joe Kahenya

Among the Gikuyu, Muratina, which is made out of honey and sugarcane juice, is revered, and enjoys prominence of place in cultural activities in the community.

Cultural activists in the region are now calling on Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, who leads the onslaught on illicit brews to make an exception on Muratina.

"No cultural activity can take place among the Gikuyu without muratina, which is used to bless, for its symbolism," says a cultural activist from Githunguri, who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation.

He added that every weekend, people throng his homestead in search of the drink as they are going for important cultural events like ruracio (bride price negotiations).

"There are very strict guidelines for the preparation of muratina to be used in cultural functions; not just anyone can do it and our people know this," he told Wananchi Reporting.

Police and chiefs, he explained, have taken advantage of the fight against illicit brews to harass and extort everyone including those of us who brew this culturally important drink.

Muratina, he said, should not be included among illicit brews.

"How is it that traditional drinks like busaa are licensed in Nairobi, where it is even sold in clubs yet muratina is criminalised in Mt Kenya," he asked.

"Our pleas to get the drink licensed have fallen on deaf ears. Our constitution recognises culture, including cultural activities. Why are we being harassed."

In early April, when the fight against illicit brews kicked off in earnest, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba warned that muratina should not be included among the brews being targeted.