Uasin Gishu residents petition MPs to curb ‘koroga’ brew

Uasin Gishu residents have petitioned the National Assembly to intervene and stop production and consumption of “koroga”, illicit brews of ethanol-based concoctions.

In a petition presented on their behalf by Uasin Gishu Woman Representative Gladys Boss, the residents expressed grave concern over the proliferation of the drinks.

“The production, distribution and consumption of illicit alcoholic brews has reached alarming levels,” read the Petition.

“This crisis is not only a threat to public health but also a danger to the social and economic stability of our communities.”

The matter was referred to the National Assembly’s Public Petitions Committee for consideration, as MPs from across the political divide rose to support the call for urgent and decisive action.

Contributing to the debate, Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna said the problem cuts across all constituencies.

“The issue cuts across all constituencies. It is a common problem and we need to regulate alcohol abuse and use,” he said.

“I fully support the control of ethanol, the transportation and all those matters. Let the Public Petitions Committee deal with this matter expeditiously so that we can bring normalcy.”

Njoro MP Charity Chepkwony described illicit brew as a serious and growing threat, particularly to the youth.

“The production, distribution and consumption of illicit brew in this country is our serious and main concern,” she said. “The consumption has really affected our youth in Nakuru County. Who are our tomorrow’s leaders when we accept the processing and distribution of substances that destroy them? It will really affect this country.”

Samburu County Woman Representative Pauline Lenguris echoed the sentiments, noting that the problem is widespread and deadly.

“It is not only in Uasin Gishu or Njoro. It is all over the country,” she said. “Most of our youth have engaged in illicit brews. We are losing some of them to death. Some have stopped their education and become destructive to the community. We need drastic action from production to distribution.”

Several legislators singled out ethanol as the primary driver of the crisis, calling for tighter regulation and traceability measures.

Turbo MP Janet Sitienei warned that ethanol is being used to produce cheap, highly potent alcohol within hours, leading to addiction, mental health issues and fatalities.

“We are losing a generation. We have no future,” she said. “Ethanol is now being used for ‘koroga’, alcohol that is made in three hours and is ready for use. Our people are dying and going crazy.”

Trans Nzoia Woman Representative Lillian Siyoi raised concerns about cross-border smuggling, claiming that ethanol is imported and distributed to both small-scale brewers.