Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has announced that the government has shut down 14,300 alcohol-selling premises across the country and 12 distilleries.
Among the 14,300 premises are 4,800 alcoholic outlets operating within the prohibited proximity to basic learning institutions and over 9,500 unlicensed alcoholic drinks-selling premises.
The distilleries, which Kindiki says have been producing toxic brews, were destroyed to disable further production.
“Countrywide, 4,800 alcoholic outlets operating within the prohibited proximity to basic learning institutions have been closed and licenses revoked. Over 9,500 unlicensed alcoholic drinks selling premises have been shut and 12 distilleries of toxic brews destroyed to disable further production,” Kindiki stated.
“All licenses of manufacturers and distillers of second-generation alcoholic drinks remain suspended and production prohibited until the completion of ongoing security and compliance vetting is concluded by the end of this month.”
Alcohol and drug abuse
Kindiki spoke after meeting Machakos County Security Heads and their matches from Matungulu Sub-County, whom he instructed to roll back the rising cases of drug peddling.
“Law enforcement agencies in Machakos County are directed to roll back the rising cases of drug peddling, sale and consumption of narcotic drugs and shisha, and child pornography in the environs of Tala in Matungulu Sub-County,” he added.
Kindiki revealed that some criminals terrorising residents of Nairobi’s Eastlands are residing in Tala Township to escape from law enforcers in Nairobi.
“Some of the criminal gangs terrorising the Nairobi Eastlands, according to credible intelligence are using suburbs of Tala Township to plan their crimes and to debrief. The crackdown shall proceed alongside the Nationwide Programme to rid the Country of illicit brews, narcotic drugs and substance abuse,” he added.
Kindiki announced that the government is focused on eradicating cases of crime and muggings within Nairobi, with select areas being set as a priority in the city.
“Notwithstanding the remarkable strides by the Nairobi County security and law enforcement apparatus to reign in on urban crime within Nairobi, several parts of the City County continue to report cases of muggings, street robbery and homicide. Occasional criminal activity in Kasarani, Njiru, Mathare and Kibra Sub-Counties as well as the Central Business District remain a key priority for eradication,” he said.
This comes at a time when the government has intensified its crackdown against illicit alcohol and narcotics use in the country.
Commanders’ responsibility
Speaking after a situational review with Kitui County Security and Intelligence Heads, Kindiki announced that the government will hold every commander of a security agency across Kenya individually accountable for security breaches within their jurisdictions, except where it is demonstrable that they had taken reasonable measures to avert or mitigate the breach.
“Every County Security Team is directed to adopt and implement a measurable Security Management Plan for maintenance of law and order, preventive security measures, effective command and control of subordinates and timely law enforcement. This morning at Kitui Town, concluded a situational review with Kitui County Security and Intelligence Heads and tasked them to address the security challenges facing the County,” Kindiki said on Friday, March 22.
“In the ongoing Nationwide law enforcement program against killer brews, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, 258 suspects have been arrested and arraigned, illicit alcohol outlets closed, 15kgs of bhang seized and 22 non-compliant pharmacies and 19 non-compliant agro vets shut.”
He said the government would also focus on the resolution of disputes between farmers and herders disputes over administrative boundaries.
The CS is currently engaged in a countrywide security tour aimed at reviewing the success rate of the fight against alcohol and drug abuse, as well as security status in different parts of the country.
