Nyamira Parish Priest Fr. Bernard Nyangeri led a peaceful protest in Rangenyo village, Nyamira County, condemning the proliferation of illicit brews, which he described as a 'death sentence' for the community. The demonstration, attended by church members and residents, aimed to highlight the devastating impact of the illegal alcohol trade, including rising youth mortality, increased criminal activity, and moral decay. Fr. Nyangeri emphasized that over the past six months, he has presided over at least eight funeral masses for young people whose deaths were alcohol-related, stating, 'The leading cause of death for all the requiem masses I conduct are linked to alcohol, leaving behind orphans with a bleak future.'
The priest attributed the crisis to a combination of factors, including poverty, lack of education, and the absence of parental guidance. He noted that students with promising futures had dropped out of school due to financial constraints or intoxication from illicit brews and drugs. 'We are raising a generation deprived of proper care, lost in vision, and easily lured into consumption of illegal substances and crime,' he said. Fr. Nyangeri also took a direct approach by visiting homes of known illicit brewers, conducting Masses there, and urging them to abandon the trade. 'Their illegal activities risk wiping out a whole generation,' he warned.
In his appeal, Fr. Nyangeri called on the Rangenyo community to support National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) and other stakeholders in combating the illicit brews. He stressed the need for collective action to ensure 'sober and visionary children' who can uplift the community. The priest's efforts align with broader concerns about the socio-economic consequences of the trade, which he linked to underdevelopment and the breakdown of family structures. 'This is not just a moral issue but a public health and developmental crisis,' he asserted.
The protest underscores growing tensions between local religious leaders and the illegal alcohol trade, which remains a persistent challenge in rural Kenya. While the government has initiated climate adaptation programs and infrastructure projects, such as the Witu-Pandanguo security road, the fight against illicit brews requires sustained community engagement. Fr. Nyangeri's campaign reflects a grassroots effort to address a problem that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, particularly youth and their families, and threatens the region's long-term stability.