Kenyan Youth launch movie to fight illicit brew
Ferdinand Waititu, the Member of Parliament, for Kabete Constituency is known for instant justice and this was evident in the fight against illicit brews in the constituency when he joined a group of women in pouring the killer brews and exposing the businessmen who invested in this trade.
The instant justice style of dealing with the sellers of the brew was replicated across the country, especially the Mount Kenya region, after President Uhuru Kenyatta called leaders from the region at State House and ordered them to deal with the illicit brews.
The perspective that the President was condoning Waititu’s style of leadership earned the MP bragging rights, but better yet helped save hundreds of lives as the killer brews were poured and the said businesses paralysed in Muranga, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Nyeri and other parts of Kenya.
However, for most people, the war against illicit brews ended here but not so for a group of youth hailing from Kabete Constituency. The artistic members of ‘Masafa Arts’ got to work and started work on creating a one-hour movie titled ‘Tatizo’ that would communicate in audio-visual formats the plight and effects of drinking illicit brew.
One of the founders of Masafa Arts, Hiram Kimotho, and the Director of Photography in the movie said, “We saw our mothers pouring illicit brew together with our MP Waititu at the Kingeero shopping centre, and the movie idea was conceived.”
“Illicit brews have affected the lives of hundreds of especially young men, and the movie ‘Tatizo’ reassures that even such drunkards who are almost at a point of helplessness and despair can change their habits and lives from drunkards to educated and productive people in the society.”
The cast consists of Hiram Kimotho (Mjanja), Eric Chege (Baba Mumbai), Isaac Muriithi (Kamaa), Chege Wainaina (Dava), Joe Boro (Rasta), Esther Wangari (Mama Mumbi), Emily (Mrs Dava) and Becky (Mumbi).
The one-hour movie concentrates on the lives of three young men – Mjanja, Baba Mumbai and Dava who love the illicit brew and are mostly drunk, spending their time at Rasta’s drinking hole.
Kamaa is the main character. He is a university dropout turned thief who resells iron sheets, water pipes and other items taken from people’s homes. His first stop after payments is Rasta’s premises to buy illicit brew for as low as Sh10.Rasta sells the illicit brew at a dingy premises. He is fair with his customers. He measures for them alcohol according to the money they have, and even at times allows them to drink and pay on a later date. Rasta is arrested by the area chief when women stage a protest against him after the death of Baba Mumbai.
Baba Mumbai does not work, and drinks illicit brew from money he gets from his well off wife. Baba Mumbai, however, commits suicide after discovering a family secret that leaves him devastated.
Dava is a close friend of Kamaa. The two interact constantly especially at the drinking den. Dava, however, dies all alone after the illicit brew destroys his body.
The Executive Director of the movie Morris Mureithi, Director and Script Writer Eric Chege, Director of Photography Hiram Kimotho and Editor King Muli and Nelson Kanja.
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