Opposition leader and NASA Presidential candidate Raila Odinga has stood his ground and said that illicit brews should be legalized in the country.
The former Prime Minister spoke in response to chiding remarks against him by Deputy President William Ruto over his pronouncement to legalize brews such as chang’aa and busaa.
Raila said Ruto misquoted him by saying that should NASA form the next government, they will allow uncontrolled sale of chang’aa and other illicit brews.
The opposition chief noted that he will allow consumption of such brews if only they are properly brewed and manufactured like in the neighboring Uganda.
He cited that chang’aa is a drink enjoyed in both Uganda and Tanzania under the brand names Waragi and Konyagi respectively.
He said these two drinks have undergone proper manufacture and do not pose any health hazard to revelers and he aims to do so should he win in the August 8 polls.
On Sunday, Ruto chided Raila over his remarks stating that his aim is to water down benefits that government has made in the fight against illicit brews.
“We already have a serious problem with alcoholism and drug abuse. It will be a step in the wrong direction if we legalize chang’aa and busaa,” said the DP in Nyandarua.
He said that Raila as a national leader should not issue such statements as they are wayward; instead, he should support the fight against such brews.
“Pray for the opposition which intends to legalize illicit brews to have a change of heart in this matter,” added the DP.
In 2015, President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered a crackdown on illicit brews especially in Mt Kenya region where the vice is quite common.