This archive report was first published on 27 December 2019.
As the world welcomes a new year, many people make resolutions to improve their lives. However, not everyone takes their resolutions seriously. In Kenya, a surprising example of this is Hon. Paul Ongili, alias Babu Owino, the Embakasi East legislator.
According to Babu Owino, from 2020, he has been indulging in Chang'aa, a Kenyan local brew that the State has since banned its production and distribution.
On December 27, 2019, Babu Owino tweeted, 'New year’s resolution is to stop alcohol(OH bonds). However, I will drink Chang’aa only.' (@HEBabuOwino)
Interestingly, this stance is a departure from the views of some of Kenya's top politicians. In 2016, at the funeral service of the late Minister and Malava legislator Soita Shitanda, Deputy President William Ruto and Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale revealed that they grew up in homes where Chang'aa was an everyday affair.
DP Ruto said, 'Before he received salvation, my father’s home was brewing alcohol, but we don’t want to return to that path of brewing chang’aa and busaa for our children to get money for education.'
Senator Boni Khalwale also shared a similar experience, saying, 'Soita’s mother, Nasumbu in Butali village, brewed chang’aa whose proceeds educated Soita to become a minister. My mother Shinangoi used proceeds from chang’aa to educate me to the level of a medical doctor.'
