Natembeya vows to issue licences to busaa brewers
By Mabonga Makhanu, February 26, 2026George Natembeya has promised to begin issuing licenses to brewers who make quality busaa in Trans Nzoia County.
While speaking in Saboti on Wednesday, February 26, 2026, the outspoken governor called for an end to the harassment of locals within the county who brew busaa. He stated that busaa is not an illegal brew and that those who produce it should not be arrested.
Natembeya added that although chang’aa was declared legal during the time he served as Rift Valley regional commissioner, drinking it is not a crime. He emphasised that only individuals who brew chang’aa without a licence should be held accountable for breaking the law.
According to him, no one should be arrested for consuming local brews such as busaa, which he maintained is not harmful.
“Wanafuata wamama na wazee ati wanakunywa busaa. Kuna viongozi wanaleta methanol kutoka Uganda; ile pombe, ambayo ni sumu, wanachanganya na pombe na maji watu wanakunywa, wanapata cancer. Waangalie wale watu ambao wanabeba pombe kwa matangi,” he said.
“Na wakicheza, yule ambaye ako tayari kuunda busaa mzuri akuje nimpee leseni ya kutengeneza pombe,” he added.
The governor also expressed dissatisfaction over what he termed ‘double standards’ in law enforcement.
He questioned why individuals who allegedly import harmful methanol from neighbouring countries face little to no action, while local brewers are frequently arrested. He described the situation as unfair.
“Kunywa chang’aa si makosa; mwenye kuunda chang’aa bila leseni ndiye anakosa,” he said.
He further claimed that some of the illegal activities surrounding the alcohol trade are linked to local political leaders.
Natembeya warned that if the harassment of local brewers continues, he will move ahead and formally issue them with brewing licences to legitimise their operations.
Defending local brews
His defence of local brewers is not new. While campaigning for the governorship in 2022, the former regional commissioner advocated for the licensing and branding of local brews so they could be sold beyond Kenya’s borders.
He questioned why the country readily embraces foreign alcoholic drinks while overlooking traditional local brews.
This comes days after declaring that he will be defending his gubernatorial seat in 2027 and that he will be playing both county and national politics.