Governor Waititu to be personally involved in bar licencing

Kiambu County Governor Ferdinand Waititu has said that his office will be more involved in the issuance of licences to bar owners in the county to curb rogue business practices in the area.

The governor says that he is dedicated in the fight against illicit brew in the county and will seal any loophole that will have unauthorised bars in operation.

Waititu, speaking during a Citizen Extra interview with Waihiga Mwaura, said that he is aware there are officials involved in the licence issuing process that are corrupt and has worked on a formula which would make it impossible for bribery.

He further explained that there are certain stages that should be followed in order to acquire a licence and that no licence will be issued before it goes through him.

“We have stages of licensing and the last stage will be my office,” said Waititu.

In the event that a seller of illicit brew acquires a licence, the governor asked that he be held personally responsible.

His aim, he insists is to have the number of bars in Kiambu county go down considerably in order to check abuse.

Waititu disowned complaints by the business owners that he is not available for dialogue and said that he will be available for dialogue only after they comply with the Kiambu county alcoholic law.

“Business owners have to recognise that there is the law, they comply then we’ll dialogue,” the governor said.

In March, the governor appointed former National Authority for Campaign Against Alcohol and Drugs Abuse (NACADA) chairman John Mututho to help him win war against illicit brew in the county.