By Reuben Olita
A contractor today made a widow in Ang’ololo village in Amagoro village, Teso North Sub County abandon chang’aa business to venture into business of selling chapatis and beans.
Engineer Alfred Oduya, who paid a courtesy call to Teso North Deputy County Commissioner Stephen Wambura, said he opted to change the life of Annah Kiteki popularly known as Mama Lavin with initial capital of Ksh10,000 and similar amount next week depending on the nature of business Mama Lavin will venture into.
Eng Alfred Oduya thanks Mama Lavin for abandoning chang’aa business.
“I was impressed by concerted efforts of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his spouse Pastor Doricas Rigathi who have been traversing the country educating country residents on the need to stop engaging in illicit drinks and drugs,” he said,noting that the initiative touched him, thus forcing him to come down and help.
He added: ” I am happy with the move taken by Mama Lavin to abandon the sell of chang’aa and seek alternative means of livelihood. I urge her to start teaching others to emulate her example.”
Eng Oduya said saw boys he had hired to work on construction site engage in chang’aa drinking spree and failing to discharge their duties after drinking, adding that he has hired the services of 10 youths who are working in Eldoret, 10 in Kitale, 5 in West Pokot and 10 in Amagoro.
” I am ready to help more in collaboration with NACADA, County and National government leaders and other organisations to change the culture of youths engage in illicit drinks and drugs and have them embrace meaningful duties that could eradicate poverty,”he said.
Mama Lavin thanked Eng Oduya for the Ksh10,000 initial capital, noting that she will open up a canteen and start selling products that are fast moving, including sugar and cooking oil.
Mama Lavin, making chapatis after abandoning chang’aa business.
” I regret engaging law enforcers in running battles since 2020 when I started selling the illicit brew. You sometimes become a stranger in your own home over fear of impending arrests and sometimes developing pressure'” she said, urging law enforcers not to harass chang’aa sellers since it’s not ones freedom to venture into such activities.
She added: ” Beginning this Sunday, I will start attending church service plus my children who had not seen the inside of a church. I used to remain at home with customers knocking on her door as early as 6:00am saying ” wanataka kutoa lock”. God forgive me and askaris whom I used to engage in running battles I say forgive me.”
Deputy County Commissioner Stephen Wambura said they are making collaborative efforts to eradicate illicit brews and drugs, adding that occasionally they have rapid results initiative, including making raids, engaging brewers, talking to them at family levels and involving the church.
“Some brewers use a lot of chemicals to make their brews mature fast. We are developing strategies in collaboration with multi-agencies and leaders to organize public barazas to help, restore lives of those who had engaged in illicit brews and drugs.
Mama Lavin receives Ksh10,000 from Barrack Ibrahim on behalf of Eng Alfred Oduya.
“Families engaging in these illicit activities realize no development with children not going to school. Malaba is a porous border, which calls for collocation efforts among various stakeholders, including churches, leaders, and the media, to sensitize the masses on inherent dangers of engaging in illicit brews and drugs.
