Nakuru digitizes Alcohol licensing

Nakuru, Thursday, June 8, 2023

KNA by Veronica Bosibori

Nakuru County Government will leverage on the digitization of its Alcohol and Drink control sector to help boost revenue collections and curb the escalation of alcohol abuse. 

The Director for Alcohol and Drinks Control, Mr. Xavier Lugaga said digitizing the system will be a game changer from paper-based licensing application, processing, and renewal. 

While meeting with members of the county Alcoholic Drinks Regulations Review Committee today, he said a recent survey, which was carried out by the Bar Owners Association revealed that 900 bars and restaurants operating in the county are not licensed.

Lugaga said this has led to unfair practices among the players, and loss of millions of shillings in revenue for the county, adding that digitization would curb such partial practices, and ensure that every bar and restaurant pays levy. 

The director also said that the county was working closely with the National government to reduce the menace of alcoholism, sale of illicit brew, and drug abuse.

Recently, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua held a meeting in the city and declared total war on alcoholism, which threatens to wipe out the youthful generation in the county.

Last year, ten people lost their lives due to the consumption of illicit brews at the Bahati sub-county in the county, and since then there has been a number of crackdowns on such brews. 

A youth leader in the county, John Kinyua said drunkenness was now a hazard and risk for the younger generation. He appealed to the county government to construct rehabilitation centers for those already affected and increase sports activities to keep the unemployed busy.

Courtesy ; K. N. A