Kiambu bars shut down in illicit brew crackdown

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has ordered all Kiambu County bars closed down with immediate effect.

Bar owners will now have to apply for new licenses under the new Kiambu Alcoholic Bill stipulations.

The CS singled out Kiambu as one of the most affected counties that has seen loss of lives and increased reports of family disputes.

“Kiambu has a mysterious history with illicit brews. It’s the only county with more bars than all the primary and secondary schools put together,” he said during the launch of a national crackdown on illicit brews in Gatundu North.

Kiambu has 1,226 public primary and secondary schools. Licensed bars are 3062.

Mr. Matiang’i noted that the national government would partner with all counties in the fight against illegal brews. “We have to sort out this problem once and for all. We cannot be burying over 10 people from one village every week,” the CS said.

Matiang’i Faults Judiciary

He however faulted the judiciary over claims of helping bar owners operate using court orders.

“Let us work together. We are one country. I urge the judiciary to be part of the solution not part of the problem. The challenges we are facing are our administrators battling court orders every day,” he said.

Mr. Matiang’i also warned county leaders against taking bribes that facilitate the scourge.

“We will act on every chief hindering the fight against illicit brews. We are doing our best to support chiefs to deliver services to the people,” he said.

Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu’s initiative to conduct new inspection of all bars was lauded with the CS urging him to involve the relevant State agencies in the operation.

The crackdown is expected to be rolled out in other counties in the coming months.