The government, in a decisive move aimed at curbing the proliferation of illicit alcohol, has initiated a nationwide crackdown, with security teams across all 47 counties tasked to enforce the directive.
Security officers at county, sub-county and divisional levels have been instructed to collaborate with county governments to review bar licenses and shut down non-compliant establishments.
In a statement on Friday, February 16, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki ordered police to shut down all dens that sell illicit alcohol. He ordered the arrest and prosecution of those behind the illicit businesses.
According to the CS, the manufacture and sale of illicit alcohol will be dealt with with the same severity as terrorism, banditry and other complex criminal activities.
And to rehabilitate individuals afflicted by chronic alcoholism and drug addiction, Prof Kindiki said the Ministry of Interior and National Administration had launched a comprehensive programme to be implemented across the country.
“Chiefs and assistant chiefs are instructed to collect data from every village within their jurisdiction for rehabilitation of the affected persons,” Prof Kindiki said.
He warned security and administration officers who aid, abet or facilitate the manufacturing, sale and consumption of illicit brews and narcotic drugs will be sacked and prosecuted.
Just hours after he had spoken a security briefing Kirinyaga, tragedy struck in the area when two people died after consuming illicit alcohol at Kandongu village.
According to reports, one of the victims, died on the Sagana-Kagio highway as police officers were taking to Kerugoya Hospital for treatment. He could not be identified until police inform his relatives. The second victim, John Gatimu, 52, succumbed at the hospital.
The two are believed to have bought the killer drink at Kandongu Trading Centre. Irate protestors attempted to set fire to some of the bars at Kandongu but were repulsed by law enforcement officers.
The incident came barely two weeks after 17 people died while others lost their eyesight after drinking an illicit brew in Kirinyaga.
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