Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has warned that government officials found aiding the production, distribution, or sale of illicit and harmful alcoholic drinks will face the full force of the law. He directed security and regulatory agencies to enforce the law without fear or favor, warning officers against compromising the fight against illicit brews. Kindiki emphasized that any official taking part in enforcement who compromises or allows the sale or distribution of these products will face the consequences of the law.
Kindiki chaired a meeting at his Karen residence in Nairobi, bringing together representatives of security agencies and heads of regulatory and enforcement bodies to assess progress in implementing measures to curb the production and distribution of illicit alcohol. He commended officers for the work done so far but directed them to scale up enforcement across the country following the formation of a multi-agency team tasked with intensifying the crackdown. The team will focus on identifying criminal networks involved in the illicit alcohol trade and supporting the rehabilitation of alcohol and drug addicts.
The Deputy President said he would chair a high-level multi-sectoral team every two weeks to monitor the crackdown and assess emerging challenges. The team brings together security and regulatory agencies as well as industry and community representatives. Kindiki emphasized the importance of community involvement in the fight against illicit alcohol, particularly in providing intelligence on cartels involved in the manufacture and sale of prohibited drinks.
Kindiki directed enforcement and regulatory agencies to work closely with communities at the local level to strengthen intelligence gathering and help identify people violating the law. This, he said, will assist the public in identifying culprits who violate the law and endanger public safety, putting the lives of Kenyans at risk. The government is also finalizing new legislative measures to tighten controls on the importation and sale of ethanol, which can be diverted for use in the manufacture of illicit alcohol.
Authorities will target individuals involved in the illegal importation or diversion of industrial ethanol for unauthorized purposes. Kindiki warned politicians against interfering with the crackdown, saying the government would not allow the campaign to be politicized. He emphasized that this is a national security and economic welfare issue, and the government will keep politics out of it.
The multi-agency team has been tasked with intensifying the crackdown on illicit alcohol, and Kindiki has committed to chairing the team every two weeks to ensure progress is made. The government has also urged communities to play a bigger role in the fight against illicit alcohol, particularly in providing intelligence on cartels involved in the manufacture and sale of prohibited drinks.
The government's efforts to curb the production and distribution of illicit alcohol have been ongoing, with Kindiki commending law enforcement and regulatory agencies for their efforts so far. However, the Deputy President emphasized that more needs to be done to address the issue, and the government will not relent in its efforts to ensure that those involved in the illicit alcohol trade are brought to justice.
Key points
- Government officials aiding illicit alcohol trade will face the law.
- Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to chair a high-level multi-sectoral team to monitor the crackdown on illicit alcohol.
- Communities urged to play a bigger role in the fight against illicit alcohol.
