Gatanga: Residents of Kigoro area in Gatanga sub-county are calling on the Murang’a county government to take stern action against illegal bars and other alcohol outlets operating in the area. The call comes in the wake of a tragic incident where the body of a middle-aged man was discovered outside one of the local bars.

According to Kenya News Agency, the deceased had been missing for two days before his body was found, sparking concerns among the locals. The residents, who held a peaceful demonstration at Kigoro shopping centre, expressed their belief that the man’s death was linked to his apparent addiction to alcohol and potentially caused by heavy drinking.

The community highlighted the alarming disparity between the number of licensed bars and other shops in the area, with more than ten bars but only one shop at the centre. This proliferation of liquor outlets has reportedly led to excessive drinking among men in the region, rendering many irresponsible.

Rebecca Wangui, one of the residents, criticized the county administration for its failure to regulate the number of bars. She emphasized that the abundance of bars has particularly enticed young men into alcoholism, severely impacting their lives. Wangui noted that the bars operate even during the daytime, contravening existing laws, and called for their indefinite closure.

Wangui further lamented the community’s plight, citing a recent funeral of another man who succumbed to alcohol-related complications and mentioning others who are bedridden due to deteriorating health. Despite ongoing government efforts to combat alcoholism, it remains a significant challenge in central Kenya, contributing to numerous deaths over the years.