Kirinyaga county residents have been warned against the consumption of illicit brews prepared using fertilizer amongst other harmful chemicals.
According to Kirinyaga Central Deputy County Commissioner Daniel Ndege, the traders behind the illegal trade are using dangerous chemicals to hasten the maturity of Makabo.
The official said the youths are the most affected.
"Instead of using molasses and yeast, they are now adding fertilizer. So when you consume Makabo, you are consuming poison," Ndege said.
He said that the youths are attracted to illicit liquor since it is cheap.
"If you have to drink, make sure that you take liquor approved by the Kenya Bureau of Standard since it's fit for human consumption," he said.
Ndege further said that bhang use has also been on the rise within the county.
According to intelligence reports, he said, the illegal substance is smuggled into the county mostly from the neighboring Ethiopia and also from the lake region.
The local administration official said that youths who abuse both bhang and Makabo do not marry given the health repercurtions of drug abuse.
"We have so many young men in the county who are not married. When you ask a person why, they won't give any valid reason. Others have gone mad and are roaming in various streets and shopping centers," he said.
Ndege also blamed parents for defending their children when arrested for drug abuse and involvement in various criminal activities.
"Drug abuse has led to the surge of crime in the area but when police make arrests, the parents are the ones who bear the blunt of paying fines so that their children do not go to jail," he said, adding that parents should let suspects go to prison to be reformed.
