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35 individuals, including police officers, have been apprehended in the ongoing crackdown on the production and distribution of illegal alcohol in Kirinyaga.
Simultaneously, the County Government has initiated a vetting process for all liquor establishments.
Law enforcement has seized nearly Ksh.1 million in cash along with undisclosed quantities of illicit alcohol concealed in a manhole beneath a bed.
Josephine Karioko Muchira, proprietor of Holiday Inn Pub in Kutus, was arrested, and her establishment shuttered for involvement in the manufacture and sale of illegal alcohol.
Karioko was found in possession of over 100 liters of illicit alcohol bearing counterfeit Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) stamps.
Kirinyaga County Commissioner Hussein Allasow confirmed the enforcement of Governor Anne Waiguru’s directive to close bars, allowing for the vetting process.
A multi-agency team has been formed to conduct the vetting, with Allasow urging cooperation from all stakeholders.
“We’ve conducted operations, closing down all bars except for a few attempting to evade scrutiny. Due to concerns over the presence of potentially hazardous drinks, bars will remain closed until vetting is completed,” he stated.
Allasow disclosed that civil servants operating liquor outlets have been identified and will not be granted licenses for their establishments.
He also cautioned illegal brewers, assuring that legal action will soon catch up with them.
“Our priority is the safety of our people; we’re also launching efforts to identify illegal manufacturers. Many have been apprehended, and our officers are diligently working to ensure they face justice,” he emphasized.
County Executive Committee Member for Sports, Culture, and Social Services Dennis Muciimi outlined the commencement of the verification process on Monday, with 20 ward multi-agency vetting committees assigned to oversee the task.
“These committees will physically inspect all alcohol outlets to assess compliance with licensing criteria outlined in the Kirinyaga County Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2014,” he explained.
Muciimi assured bar owners that the vetting process would be transparent, allowing compliant establishments to resume operations.
“We urge all alcohol outlet owners to be present during the verification exercise in their respective premises,” he added.
He warned that failure to participate in the exercise would result in businesses being considered closed.
