• Nyale said all bars must also operate within the stipulated time and those who violate this will also lose their licences.
• Governor Bii has raised alarm over the increased sale of poisonous alcohol, which he says is destroying the lives of many people, especially youth.
Image: BY MATHEWS NDANYI
The government has ordered a review of licences for more than 2,000 bars and entertainment joints in Uasin Gishu to curb the sale of poisonous and illicit brew.
County commissioner Eddyson Nyale and Governor Jonathan Bii said alcoholism is a major problem in the area and they will use all possible interventions to end it.
Nyale said they held joint meetings with the governor’s team and agreed that all bars must comply with existing regulations.
“Those who don’t comply will be shut down immediately and we are starting off with an inspection of the bars so that those contravening the law will have their licences revoked immediately,” he said.
Nyale said all bars must also operate within the stipulated time and those who violate this will also lose their licences.
The county commissioner said they have identified 10 brands of alcohol imported illegally into the country without going through the necessary testing and licencing.
“We will work with Kebs and KRA to ensure that such illegal brands do not access our region,” he said.
Governor Bii has raised alarm over the increased sale of poisonous alcohol, which he says is destroying the lives of many people, especially youth.
The county boss has also announced the formation of a task force to investigate the root cause and ways to curb increased abuse of alcohol and drugs in the region.
Bii said the county will work closely with police and other relevant institutions to stop the sale of alcohol in some parts of the county.
The government said a survey of most urban and rural areas in the county indicated that many youth, including school children, were engaging in extensive abuse of alcohol, which had turned out to be a major health risk.
“The situation is now a serious crisis that we are now losing very many youth on a daily basis as a result of consumption of the poisonous alcohol,” Bii said.
The county boss said his administration will carry out outreach programmes to sensitise residents on the dangers of illicit alcohol.
“What people are consuming in many areas in the name of alcohol is actually poison and we have to do something to save the lives of our people,” Bii said.
The governor has ordered the County Alcoholic Control Drinks Board to ensure that illicit alcohol reportedly from a neighboring country is not sold in Uasin Gishu.
He said some of the alcoholic products in question are brought in using lorries and police should help stop those engaged in such business.
The county boss said the ADCB has put in place preventive measures on reducing alcohol in Uasin Gishu through awareness on the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse.
“We will get those involved in the business of illicit alcohol and have them empowered through different ways on alternative sources of income.