A group of women from Kirangi and Kuri villages in Gatundu South, Kiambu, on Sunday evening staged a four-hour peaceful demonstration against the increase of bars and alcoholism in the area.
Speaking during the demonstration, more than 100 women from the area expressed their anger and disappointment at losing their husbands and sons to alcoholism.
“Domestic violence has been on the rise due to alcohol. In this shopping center, we have only four shops but seven bars,” said one concerned mother.
The women further lamented their husband’s inability to sire children, adding that many of them have since fled their homes. Others have sold their property and spent the money in bars.
“We want our men to stop drinking when they’re not supposed to because they do not even have jobs,” lamented another protester.
They also accused police officers from the area of taking bribes from bar owners making it hard for police to shut them down.
The women called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene and save their sons and husbands.
The protest comes days after Interior CS Fred Matiang’i ordered County Commissioners to launch a crackdown on drugs and illicit brews.
Four weeks ago, Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu launched a similar operation. Waititu engaged more than 300 rehabilitated youths to spearhead the operation by giving them incentives that include meals and a daily Sh300 allowance..
The youth participate in garbage collection, clearing of bushes along the roads and unblocking drainages. They are also involved in destroying illicit brew dens especially along River Chania, where brewers carry out the outlawed trade.
