6,500 licensed and legitimate premises involved in the sale of alcoholic beverages having acquired licenses from county governments have been closed down in the ongoing crackdown of illicit brews.
However, they were not found selling but the Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said the premises had valid licences but were found to have contravened the Alcoholics Control Act.
They are part of the 18,650 liquor joints that have been closed down in the ongoing fight against illicit killer brews and narcotic drugs by the government.
12,150 joints among the 18,650 liquor joints shut down were found to be operating without licenses.
The CS made the remarks while speaking in Kisii Main Prison where he noted that the government has further shut down 14 distilleries and destroyed their equipment after they were found to be operating against the laws.
“The government is determined to eradicate the menace once and for all by applying the law firmly.” Kindiki said.
The CS said the government is sustaining the war on a permanent basis the way it has sustained the war on other serious national security threats.
“The poisonous drinks and drugs have affected the youth making them unproductive but since they commenced the fight against illicit brew, other related crimes have gone low and this will be the trend going forward. Kenyans, and especially the youth, should engage in other productive activities instead of wasting their lives on drugs and substance abuse.” Kindiki added.
Kindiki said the excuse of joblessness cannot be used to approve the kind of conduct that was being witnessed among the youth in both urban and rural centers.
In Kisii, the CS noted that 95 suspects had been arrested and arraigned in the ongoing nationwide crackdown and seized about 40,000 litres of illicit poisonous drinks, destroyed breweries and premises selling illegal drinks.
