Kandongo: Kirinyaga West Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Kennedy Nyamboga has urged chiefs, assistant chiefs, and village elders to take firm action against the brewing and sale of illicit alcohol in their areas of jurisdiction. Nyamboga emphasized the importance of collaboration among local administrators, community leaders, and stakeholders to eradicate the menace, warning that laxity could lead to a recurrence of a tragedy similar to the one in 2024.
According to Kenya News Agency, Nyamboga recalled the deaths of more than 20 people and the blinding of several others after consuming illicit alcohol in Kangai village in February 2024. During a stakeholders’ meeting in Kandongu, Mwea West, he called for support from village elders, chiefs, and assistant chiefs to completely eradicate illicit brewing from their areas.
Nyamboga cautioned the local leaders that they would be held accountable if they failed to act against illicit alcohol. ‘If, at any point, you fail in your responsibilities as assistant chiefs, chiefs, or village elders, you will have to bear the consequences,’ he stated. He pledged continued consultations with stakeholders to address challenges in the fight against illicit alcohol, noting progress in containing the issue.
The DCC also urged licensing authorities and other stakeholders to exercise greater vigilance when issuing and renewing licenses for bars and other alcoholic beverage outlets. He warned that those with genuine licenses might misuse them to sell illegal alcoholic products. ‘We are doing a renewal of the licenses; this time around, let us be vigilant so that we don’t go back to what happened in Kangai. Please let us be firm,’ he said.
Nyamboga called for closer monitoring of licensed premises to ensure compliance with regulations and prevent the sale of illicit alcoholic products. Kirinyaga Central Member of Parliament Gachoki Gitari, who attended the meeting, raised concerns about the licensing process, alleging that the number of approved licenses sometimes mysteriously increases before reaching the county office. Gitari stressed the need for greater scrutiny and accountability in the licensing process to ensure only compliant businesses operate.
