Residents of Kilifi County have spoken out against the ongoing crackdown on palm wine brew, popularly known as mnazi, saying it is natural wine and not illicit alcohol.
The residents claim that the brew is naturally tapped from the coconut tree and has no additives and are now calling on the government to remove it from the category of illicit liquor.
Led by Kilifi Assembly Speaker Teddy Mwambire, the residents said the brew has various cultural and social uses among the Mijikenda community and condemned its classification as illicit as an insult to the local community.
Mwambire said he would not sit back and watch Mnazi sellers and users being harassed by law enforcement officers and wanted the government to hold a round table discussion with local leaders to educate them on the importance of the brew in Mijikenda culture.
“We have seen some people getting angry about the consumption of palm wine by our people in the Coast region but this is not an illegal brew but a cultural and social wine. I would like to caution the national government and especially Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to slow down and learn more about mnazi before including it among illicit brews,” he said.
He added that the coconut tree should also be considered as a cash crop and be supported by the government, saying Kilifi County has adopted the tree and all its products, including mnazi, as a cash crop.
“I have never seen anyone complaining about the negative effects of mnazi but the government is ready to allow the sale of mogoka and miraa which have side effects on users and outlaw mnazi which is very natural and consumed directly from the coconut tree. We will push for legislation that will make the coconut tree a cash crop so that as a region and a country we can maximise its potential,” he said.
While in Mombasa a fortnight ago, Gachagua ordered a crackdown on illegal brews, a move that has led to harassment of traders and consumers of mnazi wine.
https://fb.watch/qNtjA_w_Uh/