Accra:Kiambu County is reviewing its alcoholic drinks control law to enhance enforcement against illegal alcohol sales, implement stricter penalties for prohibited traditional liquor, and improve inspection procedures.
According to Kenya News Agency, the County Director of Liquor Licensing, Michael Kang’ethe, stated that the proposed amendments aim to address gaps identified during enforcement and strengthen collaboration between county officials and national government administrators. Kang’ethe emphasized the need for sub-county inspection committees to involve senior administrators in inspection exercises for more effective enforcement.
The director also highlighted the proposal for the county assembly’s approval to introduce heavy penalties for the sale of traditional liquor in unauthorized areas. This includes the sale of drinks like ‘muratina’ in bars, which has become problematic.
The proposed changes also aim to reduce the time taken to process public complaints against liquor outlets, enhancing accountability in the licensing and enforcement process. These reviews coincide with the National Police Service’s Operation Maliza Pombe Haramu, an initiative focused on cracking down on illicit alcohol and drugs.
A report by County Commissioner George Matundura’s office documented 267 cases and 443 arrests across eight sub-counties, with significant quantities of illegal substances recovered.
Kang’ethe disputed claims of widespread unlicensed liquor outlets, noting a 95 percent compliance rate among operators. He acknowledged compliance challenges in urban centers like Githurai but praised rural areas for leading compliance efforts.
The director called for community involvement in identifying unfit operators, stressing that effective alcohol and drug abuse crackdowns require multi-stakeholder cooperation. He mentioned the ongoing review of liquor license applications in preparation for the upcoming year’s renewals.
