Traditional alcohol drinkers want to be involved in state programmes

'A newly formed association of traditional alcohol drinkers and brewers in Busia county now wants to be involved in government programmes.

The Full Glass Gospel, formed last year, consists of sellers and their workers.

Founder Isaac Kimungui said the group's main objective is to support each other.

“We counsel and advice each other on how to co-exist peacefully, especially those under stress. We also help the government in dealing with crime,” Kimungui said.

He said the group is ready to engage with government agencies and programmes.

Kimungui said the group members have strict instructions to engage in farming activities from morning until mid-day before they start drinking to avoid laziness.

Some of the government services they are seeking include, access to grants and funds to run their projects.

He said that the group has applied for registration so that it can also access government grants and other funding to run it’s programmes to support it’s members.

"Drunkards are always branded as bad people, who engage in criminal activities. This is a lie and that’s why we want the government to engage us like any other," Kimungui said in Amagoro town on Wednesday.

He dispelled claims that members of the group engaged in livestock theft and other criminal activities.

"We are perturbed by constant accusations by security agencies and administrators on our members. Claims that we are the main contributors of insecurity involving theft of property and domestic animals are false," Kimungui said.

He said his members have been very supportive in the fight against crime.

“Our members have been involved in identifying suspects when crime occurs,” he said.

The group is advocating for legalising of traditional drinks like in the case of Uganda to contribute to revenue growth in the county.

Kimungui appealed to the government to allow his members time from 12 noon to 4 pm to take traditional brew every day from Mondays to Fridays without being harassed by security agencies.