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.
The leaders who were speaking after commissioning the rehabilitation of Magogoni-Athi road in Ngoliba Ward, Thika East Sub-county, yesterday, said consumers must establish the source of alcoholic drinks before taking them, warning that cheap or unverified brews could pose serious health risks.
“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,” said Ng’ang’a.
Their call comes amid rising concern 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, said the youth should not wait for government agencies to complete the crackdown before taking action, urging them to put their health ahead of drinking.
She said the ongoing crackdown should be supported by the public through reporting of suspicious premises involved in the manufacture and sale of illicit brews.
Ngari who is eyeing the Thika parliamentary seat on UDA ticket urged authorities to intensify surveillance and enforcement against illegal alcohol manufacturers, saying the crackdown should target both producers and distributors.
Meanwhile, the leaders took a swipe at Kiambu Governor, Kimani Wamatangi, over what they termed as failure to adequately address persistent challenges facing the health sector in the county.
They cited the ongoing outcry over women who delivered in several hospitals in the county and are being held over outstanding bills, saying the situation was a sign of difficulties facing residents seeking health care.
Ng’ang’a said health care will be among top priorities if elected governor, pledging to improve access to affordable and quality medical services across the county.
She said no resident should be denied timely healthcare or subjected to unnecessary hardship because of inability to settle medical bills, promising to put in place the health systems more responsive to the needs of residents.
By Muoki Charles
