In a dramatic turn of events, residents of a village in Molo, Nakuru County, set fire to seven homes belonging to suspected illicit brew sellers after the death of a man believed to have consumed the illegal alcohol. The man was reportedly found dead under mysterious circumstances, sparking outrage among the community, who attributed his demise to the rampant sale and consumption of illicit liquor in the area.
Witnesses stated that tensions had been simmering for months as locals raised concerns about the adverse effects of the unregulated brews on families, livelihoods, and public safety. Many claimed that the sellers had repeatedly ignored warnings to cease their operations.
The situation escalated on Tuesday evening after the discovery of the man’s lifeless body near one of the homes linked to the sale of the illegal brews. Enraged villagers gathered, chanting slogans against the illicit trade and vowing to take matters into their own hands. Armed with crude weapons and fueled by anger, the group stormed the homes of the suspected brewers, dousing them in petrol before setting them ablaze.
No one is safe in this village with these drinks around, said one villager, who chose to remain anonymous. We have lost too many people to this poison. We won’t sit back and watch anymore. Hawasikii (they won’t listen).
Local authorities were called to the scene to restore order, but by the time they arrived, the damage had already been done. Seven homes were reduced to ashes, leaving several families homeless. Police have since launched an investigation into the incident and are working to identify those involved in the arson attack.
Area Chief Stephen Njoroge condemned the act of arson, urging residents to report illicit activities to the authorities instead of taking the law into their own hands. We understand the frustrations of the community, but violence is not the solution, he said. We urge everyone to cooperate with law enforcement as we tackle this issue together.
Njoroge also pledged to intensify the crackdown on illicit brew operations in the area, warning sellers to halt their activities or face legal action.
The tragic death of the man has reignited debates about the effectiveness of government policies aimed at curbing the production and sale of illicit alcohol, which continues to thrive in many parts of the country. Residents are calling for stricter enforcement and greater community involvement in addressing the root causes of the problem.
For now, the village remains divided, with some residents defending the drastic action taken against the sellers, while others condemn the destruction of property as an unnecessary escalation. As the community comes to terms with the events, the focus remains on finding lasting solutions to the menace of illicit brews and restoring peace to the area.
