NACADA shuts down non-compliant bars in Embu

NACADA shuts down non-compliant bars in Embu

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) on Sunday closed down several premises across Embu County over non-compliance with stipulated government liquor policies.

The crackdown saw officers from various agencies visit several premises including manufacturers, distributors and alcoholic drink outlets across the county.

The agencies involved in the crackdown included the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, NACADA, Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA), as well as the National Police Service.

Addressing the press in Embu town, NACADA Coordinator Judy Twala said out of the premises they visited, “most were ordered to close for non-compliance and several people were arrested for various offences.”

Twala noted that the team was focusing on the validity of operating licenses, security of the premises, public health standards, validity of product standardization marks, validity of KRA excise stamps and distance of the premises from learning institutions of persons below the age of 18.

She said the objective of the ongoing crackdown is to ensure compliance to the laws and regulations governing the industry so as to “protect wananchi from unscrupulous businessmen and women who are exposing fellow Kenyans to uncertified and unsafe alcoholic drinks and illicit drugs.”

During the crackdown, key observations made by the authority included the fact that majority of the licenses issued by the government were either expired or mauled by court injunctions, meaning that most bars in counties are operating without licenses.

NACADA also noted that most of the licenses issued were not in harmony with the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act of 2010, particularly on operating hours as well as poor compliance to the requirement on display of warning signage.

According to NACADA, the hygiene of the majority of the local bars visited within Embu town was wanting and there was also massive abuse of the bar and restaurant license, as some proprietors issued with the license did not have an operational restaurant and were therefore left selling alcohol during the day.

The NACADA coordinator called upon members of the public to support the course and pass on any useful information on illicit brews and drugs in their areas.

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Police NACADA illicit brew crackdown

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