Kirinyaga County Governor Anne Waiguru has ordered the closure of all bars in Kirinyaga following the death of 20 people who lost their lives after drinking illicit brew in the area.
Speaking during the burial of the deceased, Waiguru said enough was enough, adding it was time to take serious measures to handle the illicit brew menace in her area of jurisdiction.
“All bars in Kirinyaga County will be closed from today, and a new process to verify licenses to be done. The county government of Kirinyaga led by myself Ann Waiguru has withdrawn all licences. All bars are closed. “
Waiguru added that a fresh licensing process will begin to help bring sanity to the alcohol business.
“Whether you have a license or not, today all bars should be closed. After that, we start a verification process. Any bar owner with a history of being taken to court for failing to pay for a license or selling illicit brew will not get a license to operate in Kirinyaga County.”
The governor went on to add,
“We won’t sit back and watch as our children, mothers, and fathers are killed by a few greedy people who prioritize profit over the lives of people in Kirinyaga.”
17 people in Kirinyaga lost their lives at the beginning of the month after drinking illicit brew and the death toll has risen to 20.
What has CS Kithure Kindiki said on the illicit brew menace?
Yesterday, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration said the government would immediately conduct a nationwide crackdown on illicit liquor, directing security teams in all 47 counties to effect the directive comprehensively.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Kindiki said,
“All outlets selling illicit alcohol must be closed, and those owning or running them apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law.”
He also added that illicit brew would be handled seriously like other complex crimes such as terrorism and banditry.
“Henceforth, the manufacturing, trade, and sale of illicit brew will be dealt with ruthlessly, in a similar way to terrorism, banditry, and other complex criminal activities.”
The cabinet secretary stated that any security and national government administration officers found to aid, abet, and/or facilitate the manufacturing, trade, and consumption of illicit brew, narcotic drugs, and psychotropic substances would be sacked and prosecuted.
Kindiki also revealed plans to rehabilitate those chronically addicted to alcoholism and drugs through a programme his ministry has established.
It remains to be seen whether the actions taken will help improve the illicit brew headache in the central region and the country at large.
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