Mombasa's Mnazi vendors decry state harassment

Mnazi vendors protest against alleged harassment by authorities during the government crackdown on illicit brew in Mombasa County. (Photo: File/Farhiya Hussein)

By Farhiya Hussein | 25 Mar 2024

Leaders emphasized that mnazi comes directly from coconut trees without any chemical additives, unlike second-generation alcohol.

Mnazi vendors alongside Mombasa ward representatives have voiced their grievances against alleged government harassment during the crackdown in Mombasa.

They claim that harassment has become more frequent since Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua initiated a nationwide crackdown on drugs and illicit alcohol.

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However, as the government escalates its campaign against illegal alcohol and substance abuse across the nation, a group of ward representatives from Mombasa County has allied with stakeholders and palm wine vendors, contending that mnazi does not fall under the category of illicit liquor and denouncing law enforcement's crackdown as unauthorised.

They argued that mnazi comes directly from coconut trees without any chemical additives, unlike second-generation alcohol, and there have been no instances of deaths linked to palm wine consumption.

The Kisauni sub-county chair of the association, Nuru Chadi stated that there has never been a death linked to consuming mnazi.

“There have been no reported cases of blindness resulting from mnazi consumption, thus highlighting its natural composition without any additives,” she said.

Consequently, Chadi urged those pushing for the drink's prohibition to reassess their position.

A vendor from Junda in Kisauni sub-county, Mary Chole, alleged that a week ago she was arrested and pressured into paying Sh10,000.

Frere Town assistant chief Hillaria Farah emphasised the intention to address concerns about the timing of mnazi sales, clarifying that while the drink itself is not illegal, the timing of its sale is problematic.

Mnazi vendors protest against alleged government harassment in Mombasa. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

“A number of mnazi sellers violate the designated selling hours, and some even offer chang’aa alongside mnazi. This is our main concern. Mixing these drinks is unacceptable. If we catch anyone selling both mnazi and chang’aa simultaneously, we will confiscate both beverages," Hillaria asserted.

Priorities

However, Chief Bernard Omollo of Ziwa la Ng’ombe stated that no resident there has experienced their mnazi being poured out unless they are simultaneously selling mnazi and chang’aa.

He highlighted that some mnazi establishments operate from as early as 8 am, serving drinks throughout the day, which lures young people away from their responsibilities.

Omollo emphasised the importance of prioritising work over drinking, urging youth to engage in productive activities before indulging in alcohol consumption.

Traders have been reminded to adhere to the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, which restricts the sale of alcohol until 5 pm on weekdays and 2 pm on weekends.

The Bamburi MCA Patrick Mbelle mentioned that on July 24, 2002, the late Karisa Maitha introduced a bill in Parliament to legalize mnazi, which was subsequently approved.

In 2010, Parliament enacted the Alcoholic Drinks and Control Act, specifying the permitted hours for alcohol sales, as highlighted by Mbelle.

The Act stipulates that alcohol can be sold between 5 pm and 11 pm on weekdays and between 2 pm and 11 pm on weekends unless overridden by another law.

Mbelle emphasised the unfairness of harassing mnazi vendors.

Junda MCA Sylvester Kai expressed frustration over the repeated harassment of his constituents, leading to strained relations with law enforcement.

The vendors urged the MCAs to create a local ordinance allowing longer drinking hours, but the MCAs noted that national regulations take precedence over local ones, pledging to lobby their Members of Parliament to draft legislation amending the law to permit extended alcohol sales hours.