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In pictures: Kenya’s deadly drink

Imbibers of changaa, a potent and cheap alcoholic beverage, often suffer blindness or even death.

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".
By Celeste Hibbert
Published On 27 Feb 2013

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.

Jet fuel and embalming fluid are often used to speed up the fermentation process. This can cause blindness, or death.
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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.
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A common occurance in Mathare slum: lying semi-conscious in the middle of the street due to a heavy Changaa drinking session.