ILLICIT BREW

The Ministry of Internal Security is Thursday expected to shed light on the prevalence of illicit brew in the country.

Assistant minister Orwa Ojodeh (Ndhiwa, ODM) gave Parliament the date after Kamukunji MP Simon Mbugua (PNU) raised the matter in the House.

Mr Ojodeh said the matter was urgent and had to come before Parliament as soon as possible before it went for its first break, expected to begin later Thursday.

Mr Mbugua, in whose constituency 11 people died after consuming contaminated illicit brew, said the practice was prevalent in Shauri Moyo.

Mr Mbugua wants Prof Saitoti to elaborate on the measures used to put a stop to dealings in illicit brew.

“It is the responsibility of the government to protect it’s people,” said Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim as he ordered that the matter be heard today.

Up to 146 people have been charged with either dealing or consuming illicit brew. The Shauri Moyo incident saw 11 die and many others blinded after imbibing the alcohol.

Many slum dwellers go for the illicit brew because it’s cheap and gets them drunk quickly.