Sumu Halali: Inside fight against illicit brew that led Molo chief to resign

Paul Mwangi was a chief in Molo sub county for two years before he resigned. His resignation came at a time where he feared for his life, owing to his adamant fight against illicit brew.

Although he doesn’t want to get into the details for his safety, Mwangi reveals that chang’aa in the areas of Mtaa wa Saba and Casino is equated to a cash crop.

“Even though it is illegal, the business thrives and those involved in it make huge profits,” he says.

According to Mwangi, the local law enforcement is usually well aware of this practice but instead of stopping it, they see how to benefit themselves.

 “The bribes which go to the people in the highest offices within the administration is referred to as ‘returns.’ The junior collects this money from the chang’aa dens and gives it to the boss,” he notes.

Mwangi goes ahead to give a harrowing tale of what happens in instances where impromptu raids are conducted.

“Whenever a chief goes to conduct raids, they are assigned police officers who would help them but you find that once you get to an area like Mtaa wa Saba and Casino the officers withdraw and leave you exposed. Since you are defenseless, you have to retreat for fear of being lynched by the angry mob,” he laments.

Asking why this happens, Mwangi says the police are usually ordered not to engage by their seniors since they have already received bribes.

Surprisingly, Mwangi says Casino and Mtaa wa Saba are within a walking distance from the offices of these duty bearers.

“Casino is located roughly 1.7 kilometres to Molo Police Station and Mtaa wa Saba is approximately two kilometres from the office of the head of DC. Yet we have been having this problem for close to thirty years now” he says.

Another resident Njenga Matendo says that as residents they do not have the resources to finish these illicit brew cartels.

Bernard Chege Mwangi, a resident who resides in Casino area shares the same concern as his counterpart noting that even within their area they have those in the government administration who not only take bribes from the sellers, but also partake in the same illicit brew they are supposed to be fighting against.

The issues surroundings bribery among the government officials in the area is not a new thing.

A story done by NTV on April 17, 2020 shows Deputy County Commissioner of Molo under investigation for aiding and abetting the trade of illicit liquor in his area of work.

It was alleged that the DCC at the time threatened residents who raised concerns on the increase of illicit alcohol in the Casino area.

In a story done by the Kenya News Agency, on November 30, 2023, the Molo Deputy County Commissioner, Ngura Mwamachi, sent packing the Chandera Location, Molo Chief John Nderitu, for laxity in the fight against the sale of illicit brew that claimed the lives of two local young men.

“The agitated members of the public accused the local chief of condoning the sale of illicit brew in the area after receiving bribes from the brewers and even housing them,” read part of the article.

According to Mwangi, the best way to bring an end to this menace is to arm the chiefs.

“If the chiefs are armed, they will be able to protect themselves and have the confidence to go into these dens without entirely depending on the police,” the former chief says.

We reached out to Molo, Assistant County Commissioner Phanuel Kimathi, who revealed to us that he is fairly new in the area adding that he is not really well versed with the matter in question.