Four individuals are recovering from serious burn injuries at Kericho County Referral Hospital after an explosion rocked a makeshift chang’aa distillery in the Kirimoru area of Kipkelion West. The incident, which took place near a riverbank where the illicit brew was being manufactured, has sparked outrage among residents and renewed concerns about illegal alcohol production in the region.
The victims two men and two women were reportedly caught in the blast while either working or passing nearby. Medical personnel attending to the injured have confirmed that all four are in stable condition and expected to recover. The two male victims sustained burns covering approximately 32% of their bodies, while the women suffered less severe burns, estimated at under 10%.
Recounting the horrifying experience, one of the victims described how an ordinary day turned catastrophic within moments. “I was going to the river to fetch water,” she said. “It was cold, so I stopped by the house to warm myself by the fire. Just as we were entering, the drums exploded.” Her account reflects the sudden and dangerous nature of unregulated distillation practices, often carried out in poorly ventilated and unsafe conditions.
Another victim, who emphasized her non-involvement in the brewing activities, expressed frustration at being injured by something she had no part in. “I don’t even drink alcohol,” she explained. “I had just been hired for some work around the house.” Her statement highlights a recurring risk faced by casual laborers in areas where illicit brewing is common many of whom may unknowingly place themselves in harm’s way.
Residents in Kirimoru have reacted angrily to the incident, blaming the local administration and law enforcement agencies for allowing illegal distillation operations to flourish. According to members of the community, chang’aa brewing has been an open secret in the area, with known sites operating under the apparent protection or indifference of local authorities. Some allege that regular bribes keep the brewers in business, enabling them to continue operating without fear of arrest or prosecution.
The explosion has reignited debate over the effectiveness of crackdowns on illicit alcohol. Despite numerous campaigns and public awareness drives, chang’aa brewing remains rampant in many rural and peri-urban areas across Kenya. Driven by poverty and lack of employment, many individuals particularly women turn to the distillation and sale of illegal alcohol as a source of income, often at great personal risk.
Moreover, the dangers extend beyond explosions. Illegally brewed alcohol is frequently associated with health hazards such as methanol poisoning, which can result in blindness or death. In past years, entire communities have suffered mass casualties from consuming contaminated brews, further underlining the need for stricter enforcement and viable economic alternatives for those involved in the trade.
The latest incident in Kericho is a stark reminder of the human cost of unregulated alcohol production. While the victims are lucky to be alive, the incident exposes systemic failures that continue to endanger lives. There are renewed calls from community members for a thorough investigation and decisive action to shut down illegal distilleries, hold those responsible accountable, and create safer, legal means of livelihood for vulnerable populations.
As the victims begin the long road to recovery, the community hopes that their suffering will not be in vain, and that real change will follow ensuring such tragedies become a thing of the past.
