NOT THE BEST WAY TO GET RID OF 'CHANGAA' AND DRUGS

There is a tiny village in Rachuonyo District on the shores of Lake
Victoria known as Maguti. It has approximately 48 homesteads, out of which
16 deal in chang'aa, eight in busaa and three in bhang.

The rate at which chang'aa [illicit liquor] is brewed and consumed is
alarming. The fact that the village's economic mainstay is largely fishing,
alcohol and drug abuse have invaded it. Since fishing is supposed to be
such hard work, it cannot be done on "an empty head".

Matatu touts and handcart pushers from the nearby Kendu town add to the
ready clientele that make the deadly merchandise flourish.

The heavy police presence has a negative effect on the war against the
illicit brews. There is an administration police post at Kendu old town.
There is also police station not far away. And then there is another AP
station at the nearby divisional headquarters.

Officers from these posts and the station patrol this tiny village round
the clock, not to apprehend the dealers and revellers, but to collect bribes.

But the buck must land at the feet of the area's assistant chief. The
police are reluctant to accompany him to the "raids" and, whenever they
have to do so, they first alert the dealers and their "customers".

The poor assistant chief is left with little option but to use his "youths"
- - who are known to be people of questionable character - to help him.

Since most of these youths are unemployed, they are always happy to work if
they are allowed to extort money from the dealers and help themselves to
free booze and confiscated bhang. Talk of sending a thief to catch a thief!

If the war on illicit brews and drugs is to be won in this village, in
particular, and throughout the country, let a special anti-chang'aa unit of
morally upright officers be set up. Alternatively, raise the salaries of
APs to make them less prone to bribery.

A. JAHMAMBO,

Kendu Bay.