State releases list of permitted alcohol manufacturers

The Ministry of Interior said this will help eradicate counterfeit alcoholic drinks and drugs

In Summary
  • This statement came after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki directed the distilleries not on the approved list be shut down within 10 days.

  • The CS said that the fight against illicit brew has become a big problem for the nation.

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki 
Image: FILE

The Ministry of Interior has released a list of local companies permitted to manufacture alcoholic drinks.

Taking to its X account, the ministry listed licensed alcohol manufacturers, pharmacies, chemists and agro vets.

The Ministry of Interior said this will help eradicate counterfeit alcoholic drinks and drugs

According to the website, 41 local alcoholic beverage manufacturers with active licenses were listed from different locations and six local manufacturers with valid standardisation mark permits were also listed.

In addition, over 5000 registered pharmacies and chemists both wholesale, retail and hospital, 15 manufacturers of veterinary drugs and 96 wholesale distributors of veterinary drugs were shortlisted.

The ministry also said alcohol and drug control will include routine audits to eradicate counterfeit alcoholic drinks.

"Going forward, alcohol and drug control will include routine audits to help eradicate counterfeit alcoholic drinks and drugs in our communities," reads the statement.

This comes after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki directed the distilleries not on the approved list be shut down within 10 days.

The CS said that the fight against illicit brew has become a big problem for the nation and there is a need for the measures to be implemented to curb the problem.

"The trade, consumption, and abuse of illicit alcohol, narcotics, drugs and psychotropic substances now rank as one of the five key national security threats, which include terrorism, banditry and livestock rustling, cultural, religious and political extremism, and climate change. For this reason, the government has adopted a national security posture in its management of this scourge," Kindiki said.

"All alcohol manufacturers shall henceforth establish and document all traders in their distribution chain and have procedures for ensuring full traceability from factory to the consumer of alcoholic products manufactured for sale."

Kindiki further noted that the manufacturers should ensure that all their alcoholic products include traceability information, including manufacturer details, location, and ingredients/content.

The Interior Cabinet Secretary noted that it is important to be able to trace alcoholic products so that those not operating within the law can be found and dealt with.

In addition, chemist owners were to submit licenses for verification within 30 days.

The CS also directed that all unlicensed and non-compliant drug manufacturers, agro vets and chemists be shut down with immediate effect.

"The list of currently approved and licensed establishments has been shared with county security teams for reference," Kindiki announced.

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