Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has ordered a nationwide crackdown on all bars in villages across the country after 13 people died in Kirinyaga in an illicit brew saga.
While addressing a press briefing on Friday in Kirinyaga, Kindiki directed County Commissioners and police in the country to effect the directive immediately and close outlets selling illicit brew.
Moving forward, Kindiki warned that trading in illicit liquor will be considered an act of terrorism.
"We have directed the county security teams to work with county governments to review the licences of all bars in the country and close down those without licences," he ordered.
"We have also initiated a programme to help those of us who are chronically addicted to alcoholism and drugs and therefore, our chiefs and assistant chiefs have been instructed to collect data from every village so that we can take them for rehabilitation."
On the other hand, he ordered the closure of all bars in Kirinyaga County to allow the government to verify the licences of the entertainment joints.
He noted that he would personally visit the county on Wednesday to ensure his directive is enforced.
Kindiki made the orders after residents requested the closure of the bars to allow the government to weed out traders selling illicit brew.
"We are asking that the bases be closed for even two months so that we can deal with the problem we are facing," one of the residents suggested.
"County commissioner and your team, you have heard what the people want. Today is Friday and I will be back here on Wednesday to ensure that the directive is effected," Kindiki responded.
Meanwhile, the CS indicated that the government would fire all officers who failed to take action over the consumption of the illicit brew in Kirinyaga.
He added that the government would also pursue legal avenues to have the officers charged in court.
