War against illicit brewing intensified in Narok

Narok, Wednesday June 21, 2023

KNA by Ann Salaton

The war against illicit brewing in Narok County has been taken a notch higher after the county and national government agreed to seal all loop-holes to curb the peril.

A stakeholders meeting led by area governor Patrick Ntutu and County Commissioner Isaac Masinde agreed to form a special team that will investigate police officers who are out to derail efforts by the state to eradicate illegal alcohol in the county by taking bribes from the illegal dealers.

Masinde warned any security officers involved in taking any form of bribes from the brewers that their days were numbered declaring a crackdown on counterfeit alcoholic drinks and drugs.

“There have been numerous concerns that police officers spur the growth of illicit brews by taking bribes from the dealers. We have taken stern action and you will see the results in a few days,” said the county commissioner.

He reiterated that they will start the crackdown on illicit brews and they will not relent until all the brewing centres are closed.

“The officers should support the government fight against illicit brews or failure they risk being prosecuted or sacked for abetting the alcohol. We have a team that will go around collecting views on officers who are involved in such acts,” said Masinde.

Governor Ntutu also put the police officers abetting the second-generation alcohol and drugs on spot saying they have affected the youth in schools and also those who are not.

“It is now time for the police officers to implement the government’s policies in the fight against the illicit brews or they are relieved of their jobs following the rule,” said Ntutu.  

The county government, he said, will not issue licenses to bars near learning institutions in a bid to reduce the alcohol misuse among the young people.

Ntutu highlighted the county government is working closely with the national government to ensure all bars operating in all parts of the county are licensed.

“We are going to vet all the bars and those who will meet the required standards, will be issued with licenses. Those who will not comply with the County Alcoholic Drinks Control Act will remain shut,” he remarked.

The governor regretted that the illicit brews are the leading cause of death among productive age promising to hold another meeting in a bid to sensitise the locals on the dangers of alcohol.

Ntutu said the war on illegal brewing had just started and will continue until the county is free from the illicit liquor.

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) South Rift Region Manager Robert Olweny said the usage of cannabis in the country rose from 1 percent last year to 1.9 this year nationally.

The current use of alcohol in the country is 13 percent, cigarettes 11 per cent and khat (miraa) is 6 per cent.

He observed that mental health cases have been increasing, which were mostly caused by drug abuse, saying there is a need for the county government to establish a rehabilitation centre in the county.

Parents were challenged to be vigilant on their children, especially during long holidays, as many are lured to drug abuse by their peers.

The meeting was held at a Narok Hotel and brought together the eight deputy County Commissioners, senior police officers in the county and all Chief officers from the county government.

Courtesy ; K. N. A