Several people have been arrested after a crackdown on illicit brewers was waged in Bomet East sub-county, Deputy County Commissioner Joash Abongo said.

Police records indicate that twelve suspects were arrested with over 500 liters of busaa in the Chemaner and Kembu divisions during the 04:00 raid.

The report further states that another suspect was caught with ten liters of chang’aa in his hiding place.

Abongo assured residents that his office would not let up on the fight against illicit beer until all suspects were apprehended.

“During our safety meetings, we have prioritized this particular program with other stakeholders and National Government Administration (NGAO) officers. We have agreed to completely phase out illicit beers by August of this year,” he said.

The deputy county commissioner said he is currently leading the crackdown in his area of ​​responsibility with National Police officers.

Abongo further commended the local judiciary for what he said was cooperation in punishing the perpetrators according to law.

“We have arrested a number of offenders since the crackdown was deployed, I would like to thank the judiciary for their support in imposing punitive fines aimed at reducing the sale and consumption of illicit beers,” noted the administrator.

The suspects arrested in both cases have been booked at Longisa Police Station

Earlier, Bomet County Commissioner Beverly Opwora had urged chiefs and their aides along with village elders to work as a team within their jurisdiction and embrace the war on vice, which has affected young people’s learning of the region.

“Thanks to the local leadership of the zone chiefs and the Nyumba Kumi initiative, I urge you to engage the population through barazas so that they understand the detrimental effects of illicit beer on the economy of the country and the education of our children,” Opwora explained.

By Lamech Arisa