115 alcohol manufacturing firms face closure

115 alcohol manufacturing firms face closure

115 alcohol manufacturing companies are set shut down and their operating licenses withdrawn after failing to meet the the State’s statutory requirements.

In a report from an Inter-Agency Taskforce on Control of Potable Spirit and Combat of Illicit Brews presented by Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery, only 21 firms passed the litmus test.

The report further indicates that a total of 41 others will have their licenses cancelled for falsifying their physical addresses to escape inspection thus bringing the total number of firms facing closure to 156.

It is, however, not yet clear which firms are to be closed and whether they are still in operation as the report is yet to be published.

Sources reveal that some top manufacturing firms feature in the list.

The report further recommends the closure of all manufacturing firms located in residential areas or within the radius of 300 meters from learning institutions.  Manufacturers operating in residential areas have, however, been awarded a three-month grace period to relocate.

The move comes in the wake of the recent battle against 2nd generation alcohol launched by President Kenyatta when he issued a directive that declared war on illicit brews on 2nd July 2015.

Since then, the directive has seen several Chang’aa dens and bars and closed down across the country with school going children being among those arrested in the crackdowns.

While presenting the report, Interior CS further noted that there was a resurgence of illegal alcohol manufacturers.  Nkaissery said that the government was keen on ending their operations.

A total of 177 firms were inspected in the exercise conducted between 4th August -14thAugust 2015.

Tags:

illicit brew Report Licenses shut down CHANGAA CS Joseph Nkaissery closed 115 alcohol firms illicit

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