Public officers engaging in alcoholic drinks business have been told to resign or shut down the premises.
Interior PS Raymond Omollo in a letter officially said that the Public officers are required to take note of the prohibition against conflict of interest as provided in Article 75 of the Constitution.
Also, the act is prohibited by section 12 of the Public Officers Ethics Act, section 16 of the Leadership and Integrity Act and section 42 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.
"Further, all public officers currently operating bars are required to shut them down or resign from the service with immediate effect," Omollo said in a letter dated March 13, 2024.
The PS also stated that cross-referencing by the Public Service Commission and other agencies will be done to confirm compliance.
The letter was addressed to all Regional Commissioners, county commissioners and copied to Interior CS Kithure Kindiki and Chief of Staff Felix Koskei
Recently the government announced new far-reaching measures aimed at eradicating illicit brews, drugs and substance abuse in the country.
It was noted that the current level of trade, consumption and abuse of drugs and illicit alcohol in the country is a national security threat.
To deal with the threat, the government announced several mitigating measures.
One such measure is that all public officers in the enforcement/compliance chain i.e.Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), Public Health, National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), National Government Administrative officers (NGAO) and National Police Service (NPS) are henceforth not allowed to own or operate a bar directly or through proxy.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua announced on behalf of the President citing what he termed as a clear conflict of interest.
“So I want to announce here on behalf of the president if you are a police officer and you own a bar. Resign and run the bar. Or stop operating the bar and continue working in the service,” Gachagua said.
“There is no way a chief, an assistant county commissioner, or commissioner or police officer can own a bar anywhere in the country. That is a clear conflict of interest and it is not possible," he added.
The Deputy President urged any police officer who owns a bar to make a choice: either resign from their position and run the bar or cease operating the establishment and continue their service within the police force.
He was speaking at the mass funeral service of 17 people who died after consuming deadly illicit liquor at Kangai and Kandongu villages of Mwea-West Sub-county in Kirinyaga County.