Government suspends licences for all manufacturers of second-generation liquor

The government has suspended licences for all manufacturers of second-generation alcohol.

Interior Cabinet Secretary  Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday said that they will have to apply afresh for the license.

"Pursuant to section 4(2)k of Preservation of Public Security Act, all licences and certification permits for second-generation alcohol and alcoholic beverage distillers and manufacturers, issued by Kenya Revenue Authority and Kenya Bureau of Standards stand suspended with immediate effect."

In addition, to that, all existing valid licences will be vetted afresh within 21 days.

"All existing valid licences will be vetted afresh within twenty-one days (21) days of this directive," Kindiki said

The CS said only premises whose licences have been approved will resume operations upon receipt of fresh approval.

In addition to that, the Kindiki-led ministry will be having a meeting with the licenced manufacturers next week.

"Pursuant to (1) above, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration invites all currently licenced manufacturers and distillers to a meeting to be held on Tuesday 12th March 2024 at 10 am on the above prescription," Kindiki said.

Last month, Kindiki ranked the illicit brew menace with bandits and terrorists.

While speaking in Kirinyaga, the CS said that he would be very ruthless with the war against illicit brew.

"We are going to treat it (illicit brew menace) the way we have treated the problem of terrorism and banditry by having a continuous permanent operation until this problem is gone," Kindiki said.

He also ordered a nationwide crackdown on all village bars across the country in response to the tragic deaths of over 13 individuals in Kirinyaga who died after consuming illicit brew.

Kindiki explained that the nationwide operation is going to be active for as long as the illicit brew problem exists.

"I want the country to know that unlike in the past when we have had incidents like this and then the government comes in and announces an operation for three months for two months for six months.

"We are not going to withdraw or scale it down. So we don't expect short fixes. It's not a two-month operation, six months, one year, or two years. We are going to stay on this operation as long as the problem exists," Kindiki added

Earlier this year, Kindiki said his priority in 2024 would be the safety and security of Kenyans.