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Chang'aa a fiery illicit brew is banned in Kenya under the Chang'aa prohibition act yet in spite of the fact that the ban has no effect, for the drink is distilled all over the country in illicit stills, the government has still to come up with an effective permanent solution.

For the ills occasioned by the consumption of this drink to Kenyans are manifold. Top of the list is the regular deaths whenever a lethally contaminated batch hits the market.

For in the name of cutthroat competition, ruthless manufacturers add all sorts of additives in an effort to get the most potent mix. These range from used battery acid, sisal juice and worse methanol

For though methanol is a type of alcohol, it is unfit for human consumption and indeed causes blindness and ultimately death. Cases of Kenyans going blind and dying after consuming methanol laced chang'aa periodically make headlines in the media.

But after a while all is forgotten and it is business as usual, until the next mass poisoning.

Next is corruption, for the police, administration police, chiefs and others in authority thrive on protection money from the manufacturers, transporters, wholesalers and retailers. There is a whole chain of corruption, which keeps this billion shilling industry booming.

The health hazards too cannot be overlooked from apart dubious standards here to superstition takes over with all sorts of 'charms' being added to the drums of the liquor to entice the customer to keep coming back to a certain retailer.

Since most of these are women, many are the cases where used tampons, women's underpants or bras have been found at the bottom of these containers.

Calls for a well thought out strategy to be taken once and for all by the government have fallen on deaf ears. With a stumbling economy and dispair and disillusionment among the masses, many have taken to drowning their sorrows with cheap liquor.

This self-medication to escape from the harsh realities of everyday life is especially noticeable in the slums where very often even the most basic amenities such as toilets do not exist, giving rise to the (in) famous 'flying toilets' where people defecate in plastic bags before hurling them away careless of where they land.

Now most of this year in this column I have talked about this and that should be done. As we close the year I feel a refreshing change is needed, by highlighting those who are making valiant efforts, with little outside help, yet quietly making a difference in their own way.

Here then the Comboni Fathers have decided to take a proactive role and try to alleviate the situation while coming up with a lasting solution to the chang'aa issue.

In a campaign dubbed Kutoka (Exodus) there will be a citywide campaign with the slogan "I am united against chang'aa and drugs" involving all six parishes.

The catholic churches have organised several events on Sunday 14th December and are sending out a heartfelt plea to all Kenyan's of good will to "join us in our campaign against chang'aa."

Numerous and exciting events have been organised to mark this occasion while sensitising the public and the slum dwellers on the need for action.

At the Consolata Church just before the Westlands roundabout, there will be a seminar on ulevi (drunkenness) in the parish hall from 2.00 p.m., this to be followed by a football tournament.

Meanwhile at the Dandora parish at 2.30 p.m. there will be video shows, music, plays and performances on alcohol and drugs. The Kangemi parish will have started earlier at 1.00 p.m. with an ecumenical procession to meet at Kangemi shopping center at 3.00 p.m. followed by entertainments.

Kibera even earlier from 11.00 a.m. have lined up a live concert at the Amref kiwanja (grounds) which will feature none other than Kora Award winner Eric Wainanina and gospel maestro Roughtone he too a finalist in this years Kora Awards. Other well known musicians have been slated to also put in an appearance in this awareness musical extravaganza.

Korogocho/Kariobangi parish at 10.30 a.m, will see two marathons held. Runners over the age of 16 will meet at St. Johns Catholic Church, Korogocho to start the 12 km marathon.

Runners aged 10 to 15 years will meet at St. Martins Catholic Church, Kariobangi to start the six-kilometer marathon. Both these races will be followed by talks, performances and videos on drugs and alcohol.

Finally at Mukuru Kwa Njenga at 2.00 p.m the procession from all five other parish centers will meet at Kwa Njenga followed by talks on drugs and alcohol.

All in all something for every one. Meanwhile tomorrow according to Father Danielle Moschetti of the Korogocho/Kariobangi Parish, the Comboni Fathers will have a press conference in which they will unveil a lobby document they will soon present to the Kenyan government on chang'aa, a nd alcoholism.

According to Moschetti, the rehabilitation centers in Kenya were beyond the financial reach of slum dwellers and so they have embarked on a programme of putting up some simple structures in the slums, which will be cheap "and allow people to rehabilitate themselves, though they will be run professionally."

He talked passionately about their wanting to work on all levels that is government, the law and church to talk about the disease of alcoholism as well as to see a rehabilitation programme put into place for the whole country.

They were also trying to organise for Radio Waumini to carry live broadcasts from some of the venues all in an effort to bring the message to a wider audience.

Father Danielle emphasised that they are working with other churches also and inviting them to join in the struggle. There was so much to be done including the other programme they were working on involving the rehabilitation of street boys to help stamp out the glue sniffing which is extremely hazardous to this groups health.

Let us all join in next Sunday the 14th. and pitch in for our brothers and sisters in the slum s for they are all part of this great nation. Next Sunday let us be at one, let us be part of this success story in the making.

On a sad note, last week the National Agency for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) suffered a double loss. The National Coordinator NACADA Mr. Joseph Kaguthi, lost his brother, Brother Ayub Rinyuri Kibabu.

And in a killing that has saddened the nation, Josephine Wakesho Juma of NACADA lost her son upcoming musician Carl Williams Bongo Juma who went by the stage name K-rupt. He was shot by gangsters as they attempted to rob passengers aboard a public service vehicle they had commandeered.

Both were buried on Thursday and our heartfelt condolences to these to hard-working NACADA members who are doing a great job for the nation with mostly little recognition. Our thoughts are with them and their family's during this difficult period.

May the Almighty God rest the souls of the departed in eternal peace.

David Ogot is a freelance journalist/producer with personal experience with alcoholism. He can be reached at goinghomedotcom@yahoo.com Website: www.goinghomekenya.org

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