[Tetemeko]

Date: Wed Feb 27, 2002 4:08 am
Subject: MURANGA LIBIDO WAR RAGES ...

CENTRAL PROVINCE
2 anti-illicit brews protesters injured
By Joseph Murimi

Two people were injured when a group of about 150 women demonstrating
against illicit brews raided dens at Mukurwei-ini in Nyeri District.

The injured women had stormed the home of a brewer at Karaba Market
in Mukurwe-ini on Monday when they were repulsed by the owner and
some men who were taking the brews.

The women carrying twigs and rungus had vowed to set on fire any
illicit brew den they came across, saying the brews had destroyed
their husbands and sons.

Police led by the Nyeri OCPD, Mr Elijah Shamala, moved in swiftly
before the situation deteriorated and arrested at least five people.

Trouble began at around 3 pm when irate women from the neighbouring
Murang'a District crossed the border to Nyeri allegedly to flush out
their men and sons from the dens.

The women said by destroying the dens and holding demonstrations,
they had successfully pushed illicit brews out of their district but
the brewers had moved to Mukurwei-ini in Nyeri.

They claimed their men had also migrated and vanished from home and
that they will not rest until they rid the area of illicit brews.

They accused the provincial administration of abetting the vice by
accepting protection fees from the brewers who went on with their
business.

The OCPD said two women were injured during the demonstrations when
they raided a den at Karaba trading centre.

He said they arrested five suspects who will be taken to court as
soon as investigations are complete.

Shamala, who addressed the demonstrators, told them not to take the
law into their hands and instead report such incidents to the
relevant authorities.



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