Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced that the government will build and run at least one public rehabilitation center in every county within a year. This move is part of the government's intensified crackdown on illicit alcohol and drugs. The national and county governments will jointly carry out the project, which is expected to cost about Sh60 million per facility.
Kindiki emphasized that the government is committed to sustaining the war against illicit alcohol and drug abuse to protect public health and secure the nation for present and future generations. He added that the government is providing security and regulatory agencies with more money and equipment to step up enforcement. The agencies have been ordered to re-inspect manufacturers' premises to check compliance with standards and regulations.
Kindiki has directed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to convene a sector forum within 14 days, working with the relevant Council of Governors committee. The forum will address the licensing and control of alcohol sales and consumption, and how the two levels of government will partner to set up and run rehabilitation services. This move aims to regulate even licensed alcohol, as abuse can harm the economy.
The Deputy President emphasized the need for regulations on alcohol, citing the importance of control. He suggested that the rules could cover the number of bars, drinking hours, and best practices in production and consumption. A special Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council meeting will be held next month to step up action, citing the economic toll of the alcohol and drug trade and addiction.
Kindiki issued the directives after meeting with Murkomen, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, and the heads of regulatory and enforcement agencies. The meeting aimed to review measures taken so far and propose next steps in the fight against illicit alcohol and drugs. Kindiki also warned against politicizing security issues, including terrorism, banditry, and illicit alcohol and drugs.
The government will continue to rely on intelligence-led operations and tougher enforcement to combat illicit alcohol and drugs. Kindiki credited monthly stipends for village elders and the creation of the National Government Administration Unit with strengthening the effort and producing significant gains over the past year. He also acknowledged the progress made in dismantling cartels, disrupting supply chains, and incapacitating unlicensed manufacturer establishments.
The planned rehabilitation centers are part of a broader strategy to address the issue of illicit alcohol and drug abuse in Kenya. With the implementation of these centers, the government aims to provide support and rehabilitation services to those affected by addiction. The project is expected to be completed within a year, with the national and county governments working together to ensure its success.
Key points
- The government will build and run at least one public rehabilitation center in every county within a year.
- The project is expected to cost about Sh60 million per facility.
- The government is intensifying its crackdown on illicit alcohol and drugs to protect public health and secure the nation.
