Gatundu illicit brew sellers quit to explore new pursuits

As the government intensifies war against sale and consumption of deadly illicit brews that continue to wreak havoc in Mt Kenya region causing deaths while leaving scores others with life-threatening effects, the fight is taking shape in notorious villages in Gatundu South constituency, Kiambu County.

At Wamitaa and Wamuthuko villages where drug and substance abuse have in the past plunged dozens into unproductive life, perennial sellers of the outlawed substances have begun withdrawing from the illegal business to pursue other constructive economic activities.

The illicit brew sellers have been faulted for decades of destroying youngsters, most of whom have dropped out of school after addiction, family feuds, break ups and risk of infection among men and women who indulge in the killer brews.

While regretting the dozens of lives they have destroyed since they ventured into the illegal business, the drugs and illicit brews hawkers said it has finally dawned on them that outlawed economic activities are useless.

Public baraza

Speaking during a public baraza organised by area Deputy County Commissioner Rose Chege and which saw Robert Kebaso, an infamous seller announce that he had left the business and was set to leave for Kisii land to begin a new life, the sellers said they were ready to undertake legal and meaningful business to better their lives.

According to Kebaso, he began the illegal job over ten years ago but cannot substantiate the economic gains the business has accorded him.

He narrated that he has been sleeping outside to evade police arrests leaving his poor family with no one to take care of.

His turning point was when police placed Sh15,000 to any individual who would inform them of his whereabouts after a long cat and mouse chase.

“The time for sleeping outside to hide from police who have been chasing me day and night is over. I am tired of playing hide and seek with the men and women in uniform. By transforming, I will now have ample time with my family as I rarely see them,” said Kebaso.

Having lost his two parents, Kebaso, who is a father, said he would not want to end up in jail leaving his children and other siblings with no one to take care of them.

He approached local security committee members and divulged his intentions to leave the illegal business and as a result, members of the public fundraised to facilitate him begin a small business and help him travel back to Kisii.

Paul Kibugi alias UDA who was trained on how to manufacture, sell and abuse illicit brews has also left the business and reformed to venture into better economic activities.

Kibugi said dozens of school-going children over the years have been abusing bhang and chang’aa courtesy of its availability in the area but regretted that the business was only doing harm to the community.

Killer substances

“I have sold illicit brews for years to school-going children and to villagers in this area. It’s all vanity I can say because I cannot present a thing I have benefitted with from the business. Given an opportunity, I am now ready to venture into other constructive economic activities that will see me prosper and positively impact my community,” said Kibugi.

According to DCC Chege, security apparatus has changed tact in the fight against the killer substances with a view to help combat the crime.

“We came here today after one of the sellers of the illicit brews declared that he was ready to leave the illegal business. This is a bad business that cannot help even the sellers and we are set as a team to walk those who are willing through the journey for reforming for posterity.

Let Kebaso be an example that people can stop crimes and become better citizens,” said the DCC.