Shame of Maili Tatu community drowning in illicit brew and drug abuse
Young men idling around wines and spirits shops at Maili Tatu in Njoro where illicit brew has been selling around the clock
Maili Tatu area, a busy trading centre in Njoro, just a few meters from Njoro town, is reeling under the yoke of illicit brew consumption.
young men and women are accustomed to hovering around wines and spirits outlets that form the majority of business in the centre.
The impact of illicit brew and bhang consumption in Maili Tatu goes far beyond idling on verandas. The damage stretches into homes, destroying families and pushing children out of school.
Maili Tatu village where illicit brew has led to the increase of crime as young men and women drink round the clock turning to crime to finance their addictions
Martha Nduta welcomes us warmly and, without hesitation, begins narrating how alcohol addiction has robbed her family of peace.
The mother of six says both her husband and son are deeply addicted to alcohol, a struggle that forced her son to abandon his education.
"My son dropped out of school while he was in Class Five. I tried taking him to rehabilitation with the help of well-wishers, but immediately he came back home, he returned to drinking. His father is no better," she lamented.
Martha Nduta speaks on how alcohol addiction has led to his son dropping out of school at class five while her husband's addiction has led her to becoming the breadwinner of the family
For Nduta a reformed illicit brew seller, this was an impact she had never thought goes to families of people who drink round the clock.
She revealed she quit the business four year ago after run-ins with the authorities
"After quitting the sale of illicit brew l moved to Maili Tatu. Now all I see are mothers crying after losing their children to alcohol," she noted
A few streets away lives Monica Kariuki, who has lived in Maili Tatu since 2003. She remembers the sleepless nights when her son struggled with alcohol addiction.
She recalls receiving phone calls asking her to collect him after he had collapsed while drunk, sometimes in the middle of rainy nights. The experience left the family emotionally exhausted.
" For 20 years I would pick my son while he was at his worst point. As a mother I was constantly be in tear wondering when he would change,"she noted.
Monica Kariuki narrates on how illicit brew addiction costed her son 20 years while they lived in Maili Tatu
Monica noted her son's turning point is when he gave his life to Christ and joined church.
"The decision became a turning point. Away from the constant influence of alcohol, we are supporting him and slowly he is rebuilding his life. Today, he is married and raising his own family," she noted.
Monica say beyond family strangles; the alcohol has led to a rise in insecurity where criminals are targeting poultry and livestock.
"Since the drink is happening all day, these people have no time to work. They turn to stealing. In several occasions people have been caught slaughtering stolen sheep in their homes," she notes, terming this as a huge setback for farmers.
Still battling the addiction, 27-year-old, Sandra Echwaa notes that her predicaments started when she moved in Maili Tatu three years ago from Lodwar.
Echwaa say the drink became a consistent thing because of the company she kept.
The mother of three, says her drinking affects how her children attend school. Her oldest an 11-year-old daughter sometimes is forced to step in when she is intoxicated.
"As a mother, when I'm sober, I feel ashamed at the situation I put my children through. I really want to change my life for their sake," Echwaa said.
Sandra Echwaa narrate how addiction on illicit brew is costing her children's education and as a mother she regrets it
While some families have managed to recover, many businesses continue to feel the weight of the crisis.
Several traders say customers avoid the area because of insecurity, especially in the evenings.
Cases of theft and vandalism have forced some businesses to close earlier than planned, reducing their earnings.
Property owners have not been spared either. Some landlords say prospective tenants often walk away after learning about the estate's reputation for crime and substance abuse, forcing them to lower rent just to keep houses occupied.
Residents also question why the illegal trade appears to survive despite repeated police operations.
They claim that after every crackdown, drinking dens close briefly before reopening a few days later, leaving families feeling abandoned.
Many believe lasting change will only come if those behind the illegal trade are dismantled and bribe taking is dealt with.