The war on illicit brews in Central Kenya has gained momentum with affected counties agreeing on a raft of proposals to deal with the menace.
The counties will formulate one common law in a joint venture to end illicit brews and drug abuse while reducing the number of bars in rural areas.
In a campaign led by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the counties of Nyeri, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, Muranga and Kiambu will have the proposals ready by Monday.
The DP announced that the fight against the menace would start from Central Kenya before shifting to Rift Valley, Eastern and Nairobi.
This emerged when Gachagua met representatives from the five counties in Naivasha on Thursday evening, where the process of formulating the new laws started.
The DP identified weak laws and low fines as some of the major challenges facing the fight against bootleg liquor and drug abuse.
He promised the government's support and called for stringent laws and punitive fines which would make it impossible for those involved to return to business.
“I'm happy that the five counties have agreed to come up with a common law to help in this fight that has adversely affected our next generation,” he said.
Gachagua proposed that any vehicle found ferrying illicit brews be impounded by respective counties, while licensing should be done annually.
He urged the liquor licensing boards to review the high number of bars, and wines and spirits outlets in small trading centres.
The DP challenged MCAs to help deal with the crisis, saying data from Nacada has identified Central Kenya as the region most affected by problem.
“We are asking county assemblies to be involved in the formulation of liquor licensing boards which should have men and women of integrity,” he said.
The DP said Parliament has provided the stakeholders with drafters who would help them come up with required laws in the shortest time possible.
“Once we have set the required laws in Central Kenya, the war will now shift to nearby counties of Nakuru, Laikipia, Kajiado and Nairobi,” he said.
Chief of Staff in the DP's office George MacGoye said they had met senior security officers and several gaps have been identified.
“In our meetings, we have agreed on the need to come up with new and strict laws that will address this challenge once and for all,” he said.
