Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has warned national government administrators struggling with alcohol and substance addiction will be sacked.
He said drunk administrators have been part of the weak link in the fight against substandard and counterfeit alcoholic drinks.
Addressing Regional and County Commissioners who are expected to spearhead the crackdown in their respective jurisdictions, Matiang’i cautioned government officials against abetting the sale of counterfeit and illegal substances.
“We are reviewing our officers within the structure. Those with substance abuse problems will be relieved of their duties to seek rehabilitation,” said the CS.
“We must be candid enough to admit we have a problem from within. If you’re a drunken officer who is wobbling in public barazas, how will you implement the RRI? How can you enforce the law when you are supposed to be in a rehab centre?”
According to the CS, the Interior Ministry “is not a rehabilitation centre to take in employees who are drunk”.
The CS also declared a nationwide crackdown against illicit alcohol and other substances in the build-up to the general election.
He said the intensified campaign that will run for an initial 30 days will target the proliferation of cheap and illegal liquor whose supply and consumption tends to rise sharply towards the general elections.
Dr Matiang‟i said the supply of illegal alcohol, if unchecked, posed serious public health and safety challenges to a system that is already reeling from the strain of the Covid pandemic.
“We have a serious challenge of alcohol abuse aggravated by the season of elections. Some people imagine it is time to provide cheap liquor to enable campaigns. In some cases, this trend is chronic. This RRI couldn‟t have come at a better time. Let’s go out and wage a vicious campaign,” he said.
The CS who speaking at the Kenya School of Government in Kabete also urged to lead by example and warned that those
The CS faulted county governments’ liquor licensing policies saying there was a strong link between their hunger for more revenue from alcohol outlets and the proliferation of trade and consumption of illicit substances.
This comes after several government officers were interdicted in a move to curb sale of illicit brew in Nakuru.
Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya said those interdicted included chiefs, their assistants, deputy county commissioner and subcounty police commander.
Ten people died who had consumed poisoned liquor at Hodi Hodi area.