Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Monday, June 12, announced a crackdown on alcohol manufacturers, distributors and sellers across the country.
Speaking at Kirubia Stadium in Tharaka Nithi County, the Interior CS revealed that the government was hellbent on reviewing all the licenses for second-generation alcohol dealers.
According to Kindiki, some authorised manufacturers purchased ethanol and ran parallel businesses where they produced unauthorised products harmful to consumers.
Additionally, he noted that some of the licensed businesses had subcontracted their production to other unauthorised companies.
“Many of those who are genuinely licenced have subcontracted their production to others and some of the ethanol that they are legitimately using under their license is being used to produce other unhealthy products.
“For that reason, we are going to review all the licenses involved in the manufacture, distribution and sale of second-generation alcohol. We will review all the licenses again,” Kindiki announced.
The CS further stated that the crackdown was meant to avert the risks and dangers caused by toxic alcohol consumption in the country.
He noted that the government would increase funding for the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) to ensure results are realised in the war against alcohol abuse in the country, especially among the youth.
“The same risk and danger that bandits and terrorists pose on our nation is actually the same risk and danger that the people who manufacture distribute and sell dangerous toxic alcohol that is destroying the health of our nation pose.
“The difference is that they use different methods. I dare say, what these substances are doing to this nation is worse than the damage that has been caused by bandits and terrorists in terms of numbers,” he added.
At the same time, he warned leaders including police officers and chiefs against receiving bribes to protect those who continued to produce and sell illicit brews.
The CS stated that those found in the act would be interdicted immediately. According to him, the leaders who had engaged in such activities had caused the department to lose its credibility among Kenyans.
“Any Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, and Police officers receiving protection money from illicit alcohol brewers or peddlers of drugs are agents of killers and do not deserve their management positions. We will not transfer you to another station. We will get rid of you.
“People don't regard us very highly because others take bribes and look the other way allowing injustice to flourish. We will not exclude any person including government officials including colleagues of mine,” warned Kindiki.
