Police on the spot as illicit brew dens flourish in Kitengela
At 7 a.m. on Monday, deafening music blared from Kitengela’s Noonkopir estate in Kajiado East. A handful of early morning customers were already intoxicated in illegal liquor bars, where alcohol is sold as early as 6 a.m.
Police officers in Kitengela have been accused of abetting the illegal liquor trade, which has flourished in the populous town and its environs. The Noonkopir and Kyang’ombe estates are said to have become havens for illegal liquor under the watch of the police, who reportedly patrol all night and collect “protection fees.”
In the Noonkopir Migingo and Sameri park areas, a few kilometres from the Noonkopir police post, the smell of illegal brews permeates most parts of the estate. A spot check on Monday at around 7 a.m. revealed that most illegal brew joints were open, with customers already inebriated. A man and a woman, presumably early morning patrons, lay on a wooden bench outside one of the outlets, snoring loudly but seemingly at peace.
Menacing informers were seen patrolling the area, warning bar owners of impending danger and reporting intruders. Bhang is also reportedly sold openly on the streets of these middle-class estates near the infamous Kitengela dumpsite. Security is lacking here, and hardly a week passes without reports of break-ins, robberies, or muggings.
An informer told the *Daily Nation* that chang’aa and kang’ara, among other illicit brews, are being brewed and distributed in and around Kitengela town. Some residential houses have been secured and turned into brewing dens.
“We have tried to raise our concerns with the relevant authorities, but to no avail. The illegal brewers enjoy protection. They are untouchable and intimidating,” said a resident, speaking anonymously for fear of reprisals.
Locals accuse some officers from the Kitengela police station of patrolling the area to collect “protection fees” and of enabling crime. They wonder why the officers cannot clean up the mess. The CDF-funded Kajiado East police station was recently renovated after being abandoned for seven years.
“We see them [police] entering and leaving the premises, allowing the business to thrive. Our new police post was supposed to help us, but it seems they’re colluding with and protecting the criminals,” said John Mwaura, a resident.
The relationship between the local administration and the police is said to be frosty, with the latter reportedly undermining the chiefs.
“We don’t have the power to arrest and prosecute. There are instances when a raid is planned between police officers and the administration, but the illegal brewers are usually tipped off, and the operation is botched right in front of our chiefs,” said a Nyumba Kumi elder.
The situation is similar in Kyang’ombe settlement, east of Kitengela town, where illegal brew joints operate around the clock, selling several illicit liquors to anyone.
In Kitengela town, third-generation illegal liquor bars are said to open their doors at 6:30 a.m. to attract early morning revellers.
Near the Kitengela bus terminal, just a few metres from the Kitengela police station, six pubs operating out of shipping containers cater to public transport crews and boda boda riders, despite the dangers they pose to their customers.
Here, drivers and their conductors can be seen quickly downing their favourite liquor.
“We have a quick hard drink in the morning, and later in the day, when life gets hard, we bury our frustrations in alcohol,” said a Nairobi-Kitengela bus conductor. Despite rumours that some of the container pubs are owned by police officers, the *Nation* could not independently verify this.
Matatu touts and other young people earning a living from menial jobs are regular patrons of these pubs.
Isinya sub-county Police Commander Patrick Manyasi was unavailable for comment.
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