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Scores Hurt As Christians And Brewers Clash

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Published on Tuesday, 17 July 2007 00:33
Scores of people were injured when brewers of traditional liquor teamed up with drinkers to repulse Christians who had raided their dens to destroy the illicit drink in a Kisii District village.

Led by Catholic priest Lawrence Nyaanga of the Nyabururu Parish, the Christians, received a rude shock when they took their month-long campaign to Boroko, Suneka Division.

"We were busy pouring chang'aa from several jerry cans, when the brewers ganged up and started beating us," said Fr Nyaanga.

The attackers were, however, defeated and fled, leaving the campaigners to continue with their mission.

They arrested a brewer described as a well-connected law breaker.

"At that man's home we recovered about 4,000 litres of chang'aa and we hope that, this time, he will face the law," said the priest.

The Catholic Church has in the past month carried out such raids after villagers identify chang'aa dens.

The faithful blame the illicit alcohol for the increase in insecurity, family break-ups and deaths. The group, made up of about 100 residents, wants chiefs in whose jurisdiction chang'aa dens exist sacked.

Local police boss Peter Maloba commended the villagers for their decision to fight the crime.

"We fully support their initiative to fight anything that they feel interferes with their peace, provided they stick to the law," said the officer.