TUKO.co.ke journalist Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya

Tension gripped Sasimwa village in Kuresoi North after enraged villagers torched seven houses belonging to individuals suspected of selling illicit brews.

The dramatic incident followed the discovery of a man's lifeless body near a road, with locals suspecting he had succumbed to the effects of alcohol consumed from these brewing dens.

The death fueled long-standing frustrations among residents, who accused authorities of failing to curb the spread of the harmful liquor in their community.

Mothers in the village expressed deep concern over the increasing intake of illicit brews, which they said had hugely affected their families.

According to them, many men had abandoned their responsibilities, leaving their wives to shoulder the burden of providing for their households single-handedly.

"These men have become a burden to us. They no longer contribute to the well-being of their families, and their drinking habits have worsened over time," lamented Lucy Wairimu, a resident of the area.

She further noted that some of the men consuming the illicit brews were as young as 30 years old, yet they showed no interest in being responsible fathers.

"They have children, yet they refuse to take up their parental duties. We are left to fend for our families alone," she added.

Frustrated by what they described as inaction from authorities, the villagers decided to take matters into their own hands.

Margaret Njoki, another resident, said repeated attempts to reason with the young men about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption had fallen on deaf ears.

"We have pleaded with them, but they simply won’t listen. We have reported this issue countless times, yet nothing has been done. What were we supposed to do? We had no choice but to act," she stated.

Kuresoi North police commander Judah Gathenge confirmed the incident, revealing that one of the torched houses belonged to a 90-year-old man, notorious for brewing and selling illicit alcohol in the area.

Residents claimed that despite numerous arrests, he was often released by the courts without any serious repercussions, allowing him to continue his illegal business.

"Investigations are underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the man's death, and a post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the exact cause," Gathenge stated.

In 2023, frustrated women in Irate village, Molo sub-county, took drastic action against local brewers of illicit alcohol. They stormed a home where chang'aa was being brewed, setting it ablaze along with other properties.

Their anger stemmed from the negative impact of alcohol abuse, which they blamed for the laziness of men in the community.

The women lamented that many men had abandoned their responsibilities, spending most of their time in drinking dens. Younger women expressed frustration over the lack of responsible suitors, claiming that excessive alcohol consumption had rendered many men unfit for marriage and family life.

Source: TUKO.co.ke