Another case of Chang’aa leading to blindness / death
on A Serendipitous Journey (Kenya), 28/Jul/2010 09:46, 34 days ago
During the 2 years that I have been living in Kenya, I cannot even guess how many news headlines there have been about people going blind or dying after drinking the illicit brew known as Cheng’aa (also referred to askoroga, naps,andmugacha). Although technically illegal in Kenya, it can be found throughout the slums (and other areas with high levels of poverty) and it costs as little as Ksh 30 for a full glass of this potent alcohol.(1)This past Sunday in Kibera, scores are reported to have gone blind and more than 20 people have been confirmed dead after consuming Cheng’aa which was laced with methanol.(2)The methanol breaks down into lethal formic acid and causes blindness or death.This morning, one of the members of the Kenya Union of the Blind who lives in Kibera told me that 5 of his acquaintances in Kibera were affected by this incident and all of them have died. Although this man does not drink alcohol, he explained to me that the traditional method of brewing Chang’aa is 'safe' using millet, honey and maize, however nowadays people trying to make quick cash have created a methanol concoction.Cheng’aa is another reflection of a social/societal problem, as many takers of this drink are unemployed or underemployed and it is often consumed by the most marginalized members of society.(1) Daily Nation, Page 3.“They’ll drink on, come death or blindness.27 July, 2010(2) Daily Nation. "Toxic drink death toll shoots up to 23". 28 July, 2010