Illicit, second-generation brews back in the market

The Embu County Liquor Dealers Association has raised alarm over second generation and illicit brews that are creeping back within villages and wine and spirit sellers in the area.

Led by the chairman, John Ireri Ndong’ong’I, the association lamented that the second-generation brews were finding their way back to shelves, despite the successful fight against the deadly liquor that saw youths turn their lives around.

He called upon bar owners not to fall prey to the dealers, further advising them to sell alcohol from authorized dealers.

Ndong’ong’i urged the local administration to mobilize the residents and kick-start the fight against illicit brews.

In July, President Uhuru Kenyatta banned the sale of second-generation liquor and ordered an immediate crackdown to tame the sale of illicit brew.

The announcement was followed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery’s ban on second-generation brews in the country in what sparked a massive crackdown countrywide.

In order to tame the wanton destruction of property and looting that infiltrated the operation; President Kenyatta ordered leaders not to allow hooliganism taint the campaign.

In the operation, the government sacked 99 chiefs, five OCPDs and seven OCS’ over links to illicit brew.

Nkaiserry said 20,000 suspects had also been arrested since the presidential declaration on the war against illicit brew was made.

The Interior CS further announced that over 16 million liters of illicit brew and hundreds of illegal drinking dens had been destroyed.

He had issued stern warning to those who are still doing the illegal business that has claimed hundreds of lives in the last four years.

Nkaissery had earlier put all chiefs, assistant chiefs and security officials on notice in the fight against illicit brew.

Speaking during a fact-finding mission in areas notorious for illicit liquor and second-generation brews, Nkaissery said that security personnel should be in the forefront in implementing the president’s directive to root out illegal alcohol.

He warned that any officers who had not joined efforts to end the sale and consumption of illicit liquor and second-generation brews would face the sack.

The CS also warned that any officer whose area of jurisdiction was found with illicit brew would be sacked.

He reassured the security officials of government support in eradicating the vice, saying the government will provide motorbikes to ensure efficiency in traversing their areas of jurisdiction.