A section of residents of Kiambu county have raised concern over alleged return to alcoholism of parts of the county.
Led by women, the residents alleged that some bars are back to operating before the stipulated time and they cover up their illegal operations by locking customers inside their business premises.
Salome Wanja, a Limuru town trader said several bars do not only lock consumers inside but some barmaids also hawk wines and spirits to customers.
"It is very shameful to see middle aged and young people entering some bars when we escort our child to school,” she said.
“At times the doors are locked or one is served and after drinking very fast, they walk outside. Other bars operate through backdoors. This is when a bad, an illegal or even an unknown brand of alcohol will be sold to people," Wanja warned.
She asked Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and his deputy Rosemary Kirika to save women from leaving their husbands due to alcoholism saying those who do are left with huge burdens.
"A lot of women cry every day because their husbands are always drunk. We need someone who can hear us and especially the deputy governor. She is knowledgeable and has a programme to deal with alcoholism," she noted.
Voice of Men and Children network Bishop James Njenga said they have been receiving reports from women that the alcohol had rendered the men 'useless'.
"Women come to request us to consul their husbands since they cannot perform anything, they cannot sire children. They cannot also provide anything for their families. This is serious," he noted.
"They also want us to compel the government to reduce the number of bars in an area regardless of the tax it collects from them so as to save a generation," the cleric added.
Kirika reaffirmed that the government was committed to reducing alcoholism in the county.
She added that the programme started by President William Ruto and being implemented by his deputy Rigathi Gachagua will see many alcoholics being rehabilitated and stopping the abuse of alcohol.
The deputy governor noted that homes with little children suffer too much since they need care from both parents.
"We need to join hands so as to win this war as a society. However, it has stages such as prevention, treatment and rehabilitation," she noted.
Kirika asked residents to speak up so that their government can come in at the right time.
Another resident Phillip Njenga from Kamende urged the subcounty alcoholic licensing boards to vet properly and issue licenses to bars with no records of breaking the law.
"We have seen bars with a bad record, the notorious ones being licensed again and again despite the society's complaints," Njenga noted.
Josphat Njagi, a Lari resident, asked the government to conduct public participation before licensing bars.
"Some liquor licensing boards are there to sabotage the governor and their deputy's job and image," he said.
"We need them to conduct public participations so that locals can tell them the number of bars they need in their trading centres, the notorious bars and the notorious bar operators who hawk alcoholic drinks," Njagi said.
Bishop Njenga threatened to lead women in storming the bars in the morning where people are locked in to drink.
"We can plan to have an ambush where we shall come with women and enter into these bars and chase away all the drunkards," he warned.
"Then we take the sellers to police or we call the police to come for them. We will then ask the county government to cancel their licenses since they are tarnishing the name of the county government," he added.
