Pubdate: Tue, 15 Apr 2003 Source: Daily Nation (Kenya) Copyright: 2003 Nation Newspapers Contact: (254-2)213946 Website: http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/868 Author: A. Jahmambo 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Alex