- Director Maiyo said many brewers of illicit alcohol have also completely reformed to engage in gainful income generating activities.
- He said many brewers of illicit alcohol have also completely reformed to engage in gainful income generating activities.
Image: BY MATHEWS NDANYI
Uasin Gishu county has so far treated and rehabilitated more than 700 alcohol and drug addicts this year since the start of a crackdown on illicit brews and abuse of drugs in the region.
Director of the Uasin Gishu Alcoholic Drinks Control Board Koiya Arap Maiyo said the number includes more than 155 addicts who were rehabilitated mostly in Moiben Sub-county Hospital Rehabilitation centre.
Those rehabilitated include women, men and youth who were assisted through the county rehabilitation centre.
Maiyo says over 500 other addicts had been treated at the county rescue centre and later helped to re-integrate with their families.
“We are happy because of the success we have achieved in helping the affected because that has made many families happier. Students who had dropped out of school or colleges have resumed learning after being rehabilitated,” Maiyo said.
He said many brewers of illicit alcohol have also completely reformed to engage in gainful income generating activities.
“Our governor allocated funds to help the reformed brewers especially women, who have formed groups and have been assisted by the county to engage in business.”
Maiyo said his office has deployed counsellors and other staff to go round the county and sensitise communities on the dangers of abusing drugs or illicit alcohol.
“Governor Jonathan Bii has made it clear that he wants a sober county where all people will engage in gainful economic activities, instead of having some especially youth, spending their time in drugs and alcohol dens,” he said.
The official said the county has stepped up the operation to wipe out illicit alcohol and drugs in the region.
He announced that the county had cancelled licenses for several bars and drinking joints operating near schools and colleges in Eldoret town and other parts of the region.
Maiyo said they have intensified a crackdown against those defying regulations and exposing of children and youth to alcohol and drugs.
He said so far, more than 200 traders dealing with alcoholic drinks have been charged in courts since a multi-agency crackdown was launched against manufacture and sale of illicit alcohol in the region.
“As a county under the leadership of Governor Bii, we will not allow exposure of children and our youth to illicit alcohol and drugs which has ruined many lives."
Maiyo who was speaking at his office said his board would not entertain traders who defied regulations and opened bars in areas near schools, colleges, hospitals and within residential areas.
“We have also stepped up the capacity of our enforcement teams so that they inspect all areas in urban and rural and ensure there is no illicit alcohol on sale," he said.
The same crackdown is also going on in slum areas where there had been high consumption of illicit brews.
Maiyio said the operators of bars must ensure they only operate within regulated hours. “Those who open the drinking joints early in the morning or very late in the night must know that we have now deployed teams to enforce the law.”