Residents accuse issuance of liquor licenses without public participation Nyeri

The County government Nyeri is once again on the spotlight after it was accused of issuing liquor licenses without having public participation therefore ending up issuing licenses to the clubs selling illicit brews.

During a meeting at Muruguru market on Thursday, tension rose after two groups one comprising women who are against the sale of illicit brew and the other one comprising of young men who support the sale and consumption of alcohol clashed  on whether the bars selling illicit brews should be closed or not.

Area member of county assembly (MCA) Anthony Mwangi Kibuu led the onslaught saying that the county government has paralyzed fight against the sale of illicit brew since it has ignored the voice of the residents who are against the sale of illicit brews.

Kibuu said the County government has not also been consulting the County assembly in crafting the alcohol regulations.

This latest development comes even as details emerged that Nyeri County government has licensed over 900 bars in rural centers.

This has led to complains by residents that high consumption of illicit brews is back despite crackdown ordered by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The residents resolved to present their claims to Sub -Administrator Gichuki Kiretai and Deputy County commissioner Kaburu Kaimba to revoke all licenses issued to clubs selling illicit brews.

The National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) Chairman John Mututho had ealier this year legalized rules for ethanol purchase and importation drafted by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), that sought to prevent manufactures of illicit brews.

The raft guidelines targeted local ethanol traders and spirit manufacturers which strictly was to control importation of illicit liquor.

In august president Uhuru Kenyatta banned all second generation alcohol after a high number of reported cases associated with illicit brew in Nyeri and its environs.

Illicit liquor in Mount Kenya region led the president to host leaders from Central Kenya region to establish a solution sale and consumption of illicit and second-generation liquor which was destroying the lives of the youth.

President Kenyatta further referred to the trade of second-generation alcohol as the “business of death” saying that leaders will not relent in combating the vice.

He further directed the Members of Parliament from Central Kenya to lead the war against illicit brews in their constituencies.

The president also revoked all licenses of bars and other outlets selling second generation brews in the region.

President Kenyatta mandated the MPs and other stakeholder to move from door to door closing all outlets selling illicit drinks and destroying those in the process of manufacturing and sale the drinks.