The government is tightening the noose on illicit alcohol.Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday ordered all alcohol manufacturing premises across the country to be reinspected to assess compliance with licensing, safety and quality regulations.
The directive came after a high level security meeting at his Karen residence with Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and heads of agencies including KEBS, KRA, AntiCounterfeit Authority and NACADA.
Kindiki said intelligence led, multi-agency operations have already dismantled cartels, disrupted supply chains and shut down unlicensed distilleries, but manufacturers must prove they still meet standards.
“Directed enforcement and regulatory agencies to reinspect manufacturer premises to ascertain the current state of compliance,” he said, warning that non-compliant plants face immediate closure.
He stressed the war on illicit brews is not political, urging officers to enforce the law despite political pressure from vested interests.
To support the crackdown, government will equip enforcement agencies with more resources and convene a sector forum within 14 days to harmonize licensing between national and county governments.
He also announced plans to build at least one public rehabilitation centre in every county within a year at Sh60 million per facility, and a special IBEC meeting next month to address the economic toll of alcohol and drug abuse.
