Kwale Bar Owners Association has urged the county government to use revenue from liquor licences to equip rehabilitation centres, support recovering drug addicts and awareness programmes.
The chairman of the organisation, Richard Onsongo, said that since the bar operators began remitting revenue, it is unclear where the funds go and how they are used.
According to Onsongo, the law requires that the money be deposited separately and not transferred to the county revenue account.
"The bar owners pay single business permits and so the liquor licensing money is supposed to assist those whose lives have been affected by alcohol in rehabilitation centres," he said.
At the moment the bar owners have paid the county more Sh7 million shillings for licensing.
He added that several months have passed with no proper communication regarding how the funds will be used.
Onsongo, who also serves as the chairperson of the Kwale Liquor Licensing Board, expressed concern about the delay in issuing liquor licences.
He said that the respective authority's reluctance is affecting compliance with the bar operations requirement.
Onsongo added that the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse has complained over the lack of the liquor licence, yet the bar owners paid for the licences on time.
"It has been months since the bar businesspeople paid for the licences, but none have received the certificates," he said.
Onsongo urged the respective authority to commit itself and issue the critical documents. He said that failing to distribute the certificates would create distrust and force people to refuse to pay.
He also decried low revenue collection in the sector, adding that people mandated to enhance payment and compliance are sleeping on their jobs.
Onsongo added that the liquor industry has a lot of potential to transform the county's economy but not all pay because of poor enforcement.
"Many mnazi sellers don't pay for licences because the licensing officers don't access those areas," he said.
He spoke in an interview after attending a sensitisation programme at Rockstarz hotel in Mvindeni, Msambweni subcounty.
The event was organised by Nacada, Kwale Bar Owners and the county security team.
Nacada Coast regional manager Rev Wangai Gachoka said that the forum is one of the various interventions aimed at increasing compliance and combating counterfeit drugs and illicit brew.
"We are here to educate bar owners on how to comply with the Alcoholic Act 2010, County Act, Tobacco Act 2007 and Public Health Act," he said.
Gachoka said that the move is also intended to promote smooth inspection and compliance, noting that many people close their businesses during crackdowns despite having all of the requirements.
Nacada, he said, wants to ensure the liquor business is conducted safely and in a good environment.
The agency, through the partnership of the security team and bar owners, is looking forward to eradicating criminals and bringing sanity to the sector.
Gachoka said the programme seeks to engage the bar owners to properly adhere to all the required standards like noise reduction, putting appropriate signage and warning about excessive use of drugs and alcohol.
County commissioner Stephen Orinde warned the bar operators against harbouring criminals in their business.
He said in many cases, criminals take advantage of the local mnazi and alcohol businesses to plan criminal activities.
Orinde also stressed the importance of combatting the sale of secondary generation alcohol, adding that they are very harmful to both customers and businesses.
He, however, said Kwale has no problem with compliance and that the majority of bar owners work within the stipulated regulations.
