Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced a series of measures aimed at combating illicit alcohol and drug abuse in Kenya. The plan includes establishing at least one public rehabilitation center in every county, with the national and county governments working together to build and run the facilities within the next year. Each center is expected to cost an estimated Sh60 million. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address the issue of illicit alcohol and drug abuse in the country.
The rehabilitation drive will be implemented alongside intensified enforcement targeting illegal alcohol manufacturers, distributors, and other players involved in the narcotics trade. Kindiki noted that the government has recently increased a multi-agency crackdown on unsafe alcoholic beverages and narcotics. This crackdown has led to the dismantling of cartels, disruption of supply chains, and incapacitation of unlicensed manufacturing establishments.
Kindiki made the remarks after meeting Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, and heads of regulatory and enforcement agencies. During the meeting, he received an update on measures already taken and proposals for the next phase of the crackdown. He also instructed Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to convene a sector forum within 14 days.
The sector forum will focus on licensing and regulating the alcohol trade and consumption, while also outlining the framework for establishing and operating rehabilitation services across the country. This forum will be conducted in consultation with the relevant committee of the Council of Governors. The goal is to ensure that all stakeholders are on board with the new measures and that there is a coordinated approach to addressing the issue.
Kindiki further directed enforcement and regulatory agencies to re-inspect manufacturers' premises to assess their current compliance with the relevant standards and regulations. The exercise is expected to target facilities involved in the production and distribution of alcoholic beverages. This move aims to ensure that only compliant products reach the market, thereby reducing the availability of illicit alcohol.
A special session of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) will also take place next month to consider additional measures to address the economic effects of alcohol and drug abuse. Kindiki emphasized that the government will continue the crackdown to protect public health and national security. He noted that recent steps, including motivating village elders through monthly stipends and establishing the National Government Administration Unit, have strengthened grassroots efforts against illicit alcohol and drugs.
The Deputy President also announced that the government will provide additional resources and equipment to security and regulatory agencies to strengthen enforcement. This move is expected to enhance the effectiveness of the crackdown on illicit alcohol and drug abuse. With these measures in place, the government aims to make significant progress in addressing the issue and reducing the harm caused by illicit alcohol and drugs.
Key points
- The Kenyan government plans to establish at least one public rehabilitation center in every county within the next year.
- The government will intensify enforcement targeting illegal alcohol manufacturers, distributors, and other players involved in the narcotics trade.
- A sector forum will be convened to focus on licensing and regulating the alcohol trade and consumption, and outlining the framework for establishing and operating rehabilitation services.
