The Interior Ministry on Wednesday refuted reports in the media of Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i's ordering the closure of bars in Kiambu county.
In a statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the Ministry stated that the reports were misleading as Dr Matiang'i had not issued any order to that effect.
"Our attention has been drawn to misleading reports appearing in a section of local media and circulating online claiming that the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government Dr. Fred Matiang’i ‘ordered shutdown’ of bars in Kiambu County when he launched a nationwide campaign against illicit brews at Makwa Trading Centre in Kiambu.
"At no time during his public address at Makwa Trading Centre did the Cabinet Secretary order for closure of bars in Kiambu County or any other part of the country," the statement read in part.
[caption caption="CS Matiang'i on Tuesday"]
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The Ministry added that the CS had observed that several bars in the County had been shut down on the premise that they were either operating illegally or were selling counterfeit alcohol.
"Based on the above observation, the CS asked inter-agency authorities involved in licensing of bars and other establishments that sell alcoholic beverages to carry out thorough vetting of closed establishments to ensure that only those that meet the requisite legal conditions are allowed to reopen," the statement further reads.
The Alcoholic Drinks Control Act (2010) clearly defines under what circumstances manufacturing, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages should take (or not take) place.
"In his address, CS Matiang’i was very categorical that legitimate establishments operating within the confines of the law governing manufacturing, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages have nothing to worry about because the campaign targets illegal operators and purveyors of counterfeit products.
"Whereas the Government is resolute and unyielding in its fight against illicit and counterfeit brews to protect the lives of Kenyans, the Government is also committed to protecting all legitimate business enterprises in all sectors and in every corner of the country," it concluded.
[caption caption="CS Matiang'i on Tuesday Courtesy"]
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Earlier on Tuesday during the launch of the country's second Rapid Response Initiative Crackdown on illicit brews and drugs in Makwa village, Dr Matiang'i explained how government administrators were facing challenges with the judiciary when it came to enforcing laws against illicit brew.
"I am asking our friends in the Judiciary to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.
"The culprits in the ongoing fight against illicit brews have now rushed to court arguing that what is being done is unlawful but we are asking, does the law license people to kill? The constitution says many things but it does not say abandon common sense," Dr Matiang'i conveyed.
