Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Alfred Mutua, has shed light on a concerning
issue impacting Kenyans living in the Gulf region. According to Mutua, some Kenyans
living in countries like Saudi Arabia where alcohol is illegal, are resorting to brewing and
selling their own illegal alcohol, known as chang’aa.
Mutua spoke about the issue during a recent interview with Citizen TV, expressing his
disappointment at the situation. He stated that not only is this illegal activity weakening
Kenya’s passport and bargaining power in these countries, but it is also putting the lives
of Kenyans at risk.
“Kenyans are business people, in some of these countries in the Middle East alcohol is
illegal. Do you know that there are Kenyans brewing chang’aa in Gulf Countries? It
breaks my heart. Selling the drink to other Africans in Muslim countries. Illegality over
another illegality,” Mutua said.
He went on to explain that if Kenyans are caught and convicted for this illegal activity in
the Gulf, they will be deported back to Kenya and taken to Kamiti prison.
Mutua also spoke about the recent reports of mistreatment of Kenyans in Saudi Arabia,
saying that he visited the country and held talks with the government on the issue. He
stated that the Saudi government has challenged Kenya to reveal the citizens who are
mistreating people and that they will be arrested.
