A section of chiefs and police officers in Vihiga County have been faulted for colluding with illicit alcohol brewers in the area, turning the fight against illicit brew into a mere wild goose chase.

Speaking during a community sensitization exercise on illicit brew and gender based violence, Vihiga County Governor Wilber Ottichilo has expressed deep disappointment over the growing trend where some of the local administrators have turned chang’aa dens into toll centers.

The secretive network is also reported to involve some police officers who allegedly collect regular fees from illicit alcohol brewers, leaving them to operate freely.

Consequently, cases of Gender based violence have soared in the area, with human rights defenders linking this to uncontrolled illicit alcohol consumption.

A report by the Nancy Baraza-led GBV taskforce shows that in Vihiga County, 72 cases of gender based violence are reported every week. Additionally, NACADA’s latest report indicate that Western Kenya tops in the illicit brew consumption in Kenya, with Vihiga County listed fourth after Bungoma, Kakamega and Busia.

Stakeholders have called for collective efforts in curbing the menace.