In Pictures
In pictures: Kenya's deadly drink
Imbibers of changaa, a potent and cheap alcoholic beverage, often suffer blindness or even death.
Last Modified: 27 Feb 2013 12:49

In the slums of Kenya, "changaa" is a popular alcoholic drink, and brewing the grog is a source of livelihood for many.

Changaa, which literally means "kill me quickly", has a high alcohol content. But it's often adulterated with other more poisonous compounds, including jet fuel and embalming fluid, to speed up the fermentation process.

In 2010, an estimated 100 people died after drinking changaa.

A shot of changaa can cost as little as 5 Kenyan shillings ($0.01), and provides a long high.
Celeste Hibbert/TRANSTERRA Media
Changaa is often brewed in rivers contaminated with sewage. In Mathare slum, rich Kenyans and Indian businessmen invest in its production, but never come into the slum. They just collect the money through "runners".


Celeste Hibbert/TRANSTERRA Media
Jet fuel and embalming fluid are often used to speed up the fermentation process. This can cause blindness, or death.


Celeste Hibbert/TRANSTERRA Media
Brewing Changaa is a source of liveihood for many people in Kibera slum - women, children and families all play a part.


Celeste Hibbert/TRANSTERRA Media
A changaa brewer in Mathare slum explains how one shot is enough for a lasting high.


Celeste Hibbert/TRANSTERRA Media
Chanagaa only costs 5 Kenyan shillings ($0.01 USD) per "shot". Because the drink is clear, drinkers think it is clean.


Celeste Hibbert/TRANSTERRA Media
A brewer in Mathare.


Celeste Hibbert/TRANSTERRA Media
Changaa brewers at work in Mathare.


Celeste Hibbert/TRANSTERRA Media
A common occurance in Mathare slum: lying semi-conscious in the middle of the street due to a heavy Changaa drinking session.



images:
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captions:
Changaa is often brewed in rivers contaminated with sewage. In Mathare slum, rich Kenyans and Indian businessmen invest in its production, but never come into the slum. They just collect the money through "runners". ;*;Jet fuel and embalming fluid are often used to speed up the fermentation process. This can cause blindness, or death. ;*;Brewing Changaa is a source of liveihood for many people in Kibera slum - women, children and families all play a part. ;*;A changaa brewer in Mathare slum explains how one shot is enough for a lasting high. ;*;Chanagaa only costs 5 Kenyan shillings ($0.01 USD) per "shot". Because the drink is clear, drinkers think it is clean.;*;A brewer in Mathare. ;*;Changaa brewers at work in Mathare. ;*;A common occurance in Mathare slum: lying semi-conscious in the middle of the street due to a heavy Changaa drinking session. Daylife ID:
1361888296113
Photographer:
Celeste Hibbert;*;Celeste Hibbert;*;Celeste Hibbert;*;Celeste Hibbert;*;Celeste Hibbert;*;Celeste Hibbert;*;Celeste Hibbert;*;Celeste Hibbert
Image Source:
TRANSTERRA Media;*;TRANSTERRA Media;*;TRANSTERRA Media;*;TRANSTERRA Media;*;TRANSTERRA Media;*;TRANSTERRA Media;*;TRANSTERRA Media;*;TRANSTERRA Media
Gallery Source:
Daylife
Daylife Raw Data:
Kill me Quicklyhttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Kill-me-Quicklyen-usAl Jazeerafeedback@daylife.com10Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:18:16 GMTWed, 27 Feb 2013 08:34:35 GMT http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Kill-me-Quickly?image_id=0a623SfeaFbpp

Changaa is often brewed in rivers contaminated with sewage. In Mathare slum, rich Kenyans and Indian businessmen invest in its production, but never come into the slum. They just collect the money through "runners".

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:21:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Kill-me-Quickly?image_id=0a623SfeaFbppCeleste HibbertTRANSTERRA MediaAl Jazeera Upload Images

Changaa is often brewed in rivers contaminated with sewage. In Mathare slum, rich Kenyans and Indian businessmen invest in its production, but never come into the slum. They just collect the money through "runners".

http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Kill-me-Quickly?image_id=00uyfHRbDpeTK

Jet fuel and embalming fluid are often used to speed up the fermentation process. This can cause blindness, or death.

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:22:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Kill-me-Quickly?image_id=00uyfHRbDpeTKCeleste HibbertTRANSTERRA MediaAl Jazeera Upload Images

Jet fuel and embalming fluid are often used to speed up the fermentation process. This can cause blindness, or death.

http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Kill-me-Quickly?image_id=00lh0GpcSAgMk

Brewing Changaa is a source of liveihood for many people in Kibera slum - women, children and families all play a part.

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:25:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Kill-me-Quickly?image_id=00lh0GpcSAgMkCeleste HibbertTRANSTERRA MediaAl Jazeera Upload Images

Brewing Changaa is a source of liveihood for many people in Kibera slum - women, children and families all play a part.

http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Kill-me-Quickly?image_id=06jAaK284Y9EA

A changaa brewer in Mathare slum explains how one shot is enough for a lasting high.

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:19:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Kill-me-Quickly?image_id=06jAaK284Y9EACeleste HibbertTRANSTERRA MediaAl Jazeera Upload Images

A changaa brewer in Mathare slum explains how one shot is enough for a lasting high.

http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Kill-me-Quickly?image_id=04x16Sh4pA0GPChanagaa only costs 5 Kenyan shillings ($0.01 USD) per "shot". Because the drink is clear, drinkers think it is clean.Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Kill-me-Quickly?image_id=04x16Sh4pA0GPCeleste HibbertTRANSTERRA MediaAl Jazeera Upload ImagesChanagaa only costs 5 Kenyan shillings ($0.01 USD) per "shot". Because the drink is clear, drinkers think it is clean. http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Kill-me-Quickly?image_id=0633asXfr50X6

A brewer in Mathare.

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:23:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Kill-me-Quickly?image_id=0633asXfr50X6Celeste HibbertTRANSTERRA MediaAl Jazeera Upload Images

A brewer in Mathare.

http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Kill-me-Quickly?image_id=0aP7cqLaBp7Yi

Changaa brewers at work in Mathare.

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:24:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Kill-me-Quickly?image_id=0aP7cqLaBp7YiCeleste HibbertTRANSTERRA MediaAl Jazeera Upload Images

Changaa brewers at work in Mathare.

http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Kill-me-Quickly?image_id=015s7Rsbg5eWq

A common occurance in Mathare slum: lying semi-conscious in the middle of the street due to a heavy Changaa drinking session.

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:25:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Kill-me-Quickly?image_id=015s7Rsbg5eWqCeleste HibbertTRANSTERRA MediaAl Jazeera Upload Images

A common occurance in Mathare slum: lying semi-conscious in the middle of the street due to a heavy Changaa drinking session.



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