By GASTONE VALUSI
Grief-stricken residents of Syanthi, Kavumbu and Ngomeni villages in Katine Sub-location, Tala Location, Matungulu Sub-county, Machakos County, have petitioned Kangundo and Tala law courts over what they describe as the unchecked sale of lethal illicit alcohol.
In a memorandum presented on Monday, members of an interdenominational clergy fraternity and families who have lost loved ones said they had repeatedly buried sons and daughters allegedly killed by chemically adulterated chang’aa.
The residents said a peaceful demonstration they staged on October 16 was met with resistance from illicit alcohol brewers, followed by retaliatory attacks at night in which the homes of community leaders were reportedly stoned.
The petition also raised concerns over security challenges and what the residents described as gaps in the handling of illicit alcohol cases.
According to the petitioners, officers at Tala Police Station said they could not provide security for Monday’s demonstration because they were deployed to national examination duties. The officers reportedly cited a shortage of government vehicles, reliance on personal motorbikes and inadequate fuel.
The residents further accused the courts of releasing suspected repeat offenders on low cash bail, alleging that some returned to the villages on the same day to resume brewing and intimidate those reporting their activities.
They called on the Judiciary to consider the circumstances of each case when determining bail for suspects accused of repeatedly producing lethal illicit alcohol. They also urged Parliament to amend the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act to strengthen accountability for the manufacture and sale of adulterated alcohol linked to deaths.
Additionally, the petitioners sought protection measures to prevent suspects released on bond from returning to the affected villages and allegedly intimidating witnesses while their cases are pending.
The memorandum was received at Kangundo Law Courts during a media briefing led by community representative Fr Charles Kyalo Mutua and Tala MCA Jackson Ndaka.
“We must protect lives, and we must create jobs and livelihoods for our youth. We have lost more than 24 lives to illicit brews,” said Fr Mutua.
Ndaka described the engagement with the court as friendly and reassuring, urging police and judicial officers to work together to address the menace.
“If you are dealing in illicit drugs and alcohol, you should know that stern action will now be taken. There is no room for corruption,” said the MCA.
Kangundo Senior Resident Magistrate Jaffline Sure advised residents to present all available evidence to the police when suspects are apprehended, saying this would help the court determine cases on the strength of the evidence presented.
