PH
Police in Bungoma are pursuing a man who married off her teen daughter for a cup of chang’aa.
The man from Nasianda village in Bumula sub-County married off her 14-year-old daughter to the neighbouring village so he can be enjoying the traditional liquor daily for free.
John Wepukhulu, a neighbour, said they were shocked by the actions of a man whom he said is a perennial drunkard.
“You can’t marry off your young daughter in exchange for cheap liquor. This is absurd and the culprit should be arrested immediately,” he said.
According to the agreement, the man will be drinking two glasses of chang’aa every day until the dowry is fully settled.
The girl will now live with the chang’aa dealer as her father continues to use up the dowry payment by sipping the illicit brew daily.
Bumula MP, Boniface Otsiula has demanded for the immediate arrest of the suspect.
Otsiula asked police to get hold of the man and ensure that the girl, who was married off forcefully, is taken back to school.
”Bumula has continued to lag behind in education because of early pregnancies and high rates of school drop out,” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by woman representative Reginald Wanyonyi who directed Bungoma county commissioner Joshua Chepchieng to order for the suspect’s arrest.
She said that girls in Bungoma have been frustrated by such men who do not value education.
“Education is the only key that can liberate the girl child from poverty and make her self reliant,” Wanyonyi said.
