Nairobi: Leaders have urged the youth to shun alcohol amid growing concerns over fake brews that are reportedly leaving consumers with serious health complications. Thika Member of Parliament (MP), Alice Ng’ang’a, and Parliamentary aspirant, David Ngari, said young people should be extra cautious about what they consume as the government moves to crack down on illegal brewing dens suspected of producing counterfeit alcohol.
According to Kenya News Agency, the leaders, who were speaking after commissioning the rehabilitation of Magogoni-Athi road in Ngoliba Ward, Thika East Sub-county, emphasized the importance of consumers establishing the source of alcoholic drinks before consumption. They warned that cheap or unverified brews could pose serious health risks. Ng’ang’a urged, “We are asking young people to be very careful. Before you consume any alcoholic drink, you need to establish its manufacturer, scan codes to certify its safety.”
Their call comes amid rising concerns across the country over the circulation of illicit alcohol, with reports of drinkers falling ill after consuming suspected fake brews. Ng’ang’a, who is eyeing the Kiambu Gubernatorial seat, emphasized that youth should not wait for government agencies to complete the crackdown before taking action and urged them to prioritize their health over drinking.
She further highlighted the importance of public support in the ongoing crackdown, encouraging the reporting of suspicious premises involved in the manufacture and sale of illicit brews. Ngari, who is contesting for the Thika parliamentary seat on the UDA ticket, called for intensified surveillance and enforcement against illegal alcohol manufacturers, stating that the crackdown should target both producers and distributors.
Meanwhile, the leaders criticized Kiambu Governor, Kimani Wamatangi, for what they described as a failure to adequately address persistent challenges facing the health sector in the county. They pointed to the ongoing outcry over women who delivered in several hospitals in the county and are being held over outstanding bills, describing the situation as indicative of the difficulties residents face when seeking health care.
Ng’ang’a pledged that health care would be among her top priorities if elected governor, promising to improve access to affordable and quality medical services across the county. She stated that no resident should be denied timely healthcare or subjected to unnecessary hardship due to an inability to settle medical bills and vowed to establish health systems more responsive to residents’ needs.
