In Pictures

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".

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.