High Court to rule on alcohol crackdown

The High Court will Thursday rule on whether to grant orders sought by the Association of Spirits Manufacturers in Kenya to restrain public orders from organizing gangs or inciting members of the public to intrude into licensed premises of members of the association.

Justice Isaac Lenaola will make the ruling.

On Tuesday, Justice Lenaola ordered the Association of Spirits Manufacturers to respond to claims by Kabete Member of Parliament Ferdinand Waititu that the association is not registered hence its case in court should be dismissed.

Lenaola directed the association to provide proof of membership and existence of companies under it before he can consider issuing any temporary orders.

The association had moved to the High Court on Monday seeking conservatory orders barring public officers from organising gangs or inciting the public to raid licensed premises of the association members.

The spirits manufacturers’ claim the rowdy gangs are led by the Kabete MP to destroy property, loot and seize their products, and they have also sued the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett and Interior Cabinet secretary Major Gen. (rtd.) Joseph Nkaissery in the case.

Massive looting in alcoholism fight

Two weeks ago, Waititu embarked on a murky path with an angry mob behind him to raid bars and destroy second generation alcohol.

Their main aim was to address the excessive consumption of liquor that they claimed had been exacerbated by the greed of bar owners.

The youth, who raided the bars and spilled alcohol, were also accused of massive looting.

Bar owners claim they lost over Ksh 20 million in the incident and they now want Waititu charged.

However, during an interview on Citizen TV’s Power Breakfast show, Waititu defended his actions, saying legal means had failed to address the alcohol abuse problem that continues to plague parts of Central Kenya.

Waititu further claimed that the majority of his constituents were in support of his actions.

He accused bar owners of greed and vowed to use any means necessary to address the problem.