All licenses and permits for second-generation alcohol and alcoholic beverage distillers and manufacturers have been suspended pending fresh vetting to be carried out over the next 21 days.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki announced the comprehensive and far-reaching move to combat the threats posed by the trade, consumption and abuse of illicit substances, which have been blamed for deaths and ailments in various parts of the country, the most recent cases being reported in Kirinyaga where 11 people died after a drinking spree.
Speaking on Wednesday, March 6, CS Kindiki said that effective immediately, all licenses and certification permits for second-generation alcohol and alcoholic beverages distillers and manufacturers had been suspended pending fresh vetting as the government races to combat an alcoholism and drug abuse crisis that has rendered thousands of youths economically unproductive.
Manufacturers seeking approval will be required to demonstrate that they operate quality control laboratories featuring advanced testing equipment and that these are operated by competent analysts.
Once they get approve, their facilities will still be subjected to regular monitoring by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
Moreover, alcohol manufacturers are required to document all traders in their distribution chain and ensure full traceability of their products from factories to consumers.
In addition to the tough measures, the CS said that over the next 45 days, KEBS will oversee the denaturing of industrial ethanol to prevent its diversion for illicit purposes.
Meanwhile, any licenses issued contrary to the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act will be deemed null and void, with county security teams directed to close down non-compliant premises promptly.
Last month, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua announced that all public officers in the provincial administration or police service and related agencies were prohibited from owning or operating bars. Alternatively, they were asked to resign from their positions to focus on their businesses.
The move was aimed at eliminating conflicts of interest in the enforcement of drugs and alcohol laws.
Yesterday, CS Kindiki said: ”All vehicles and buildings used in storage, manufacturing and trafficking of illicit alcohol, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances shall be seized and deemed to be Government property, pursuant to Section 74 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act”.
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