Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha has issued a stern warning to National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) accused of undermining the fight against illicit brew and second-generation alcohol in Nyandarua County, saying their days are numbered.
Speaking in Rurii Division during a visit by the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) team, Nkanatha said any officer found colluding with manufacturers or dealers of illegal alcohol would be dismissed and prosecuted.
The visit formed part of a national multi-agency operation aimed at destroying illicit brews, drugs, and second-generation alcohol.
Nkanatha noted that while the crackdown was yielding positive results, significant work laid ahead.
“We are here to reinforce the crackdown on illicit brew, drugs, and second-generation alcohol. We came to assess progress, and although there are gains, a lot more needs to be done,” he said, urging officers to “pull up their socks” and intensify field operations to rid the area of drugs.
Addressing concerns over delays in government chemist reports, government chemist Dr Macharia clarified that there was no backlog in testing substances.
He explained that the delay was caused by officers failing to collect already tested samples on time, resulting in storage congestion, with three containers already full of tested substances.
“We urge our teams to collect the samples promptly so that cases can proceed to prosecution,” Nkanatha said.
He further revealed that agreements had been reached with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to ensure their availability whenever needed, particularly in cases involving seized drugs and substances, to enable swift prosecution.
The Regional Commissioner emphasised that the fight against illicit alcohol and drugs required collaboration among all stakeholders, not just security agencies.
He called on local communities to work closely with security agencies by providing information to help dismantle illicit brew cartels and urged officers to spend more time in the field rather than remaining in offices.
“We are warning those who believe they are protected that they are now vulnerable. No one will be shielded,” he said, adding that the government intended to ensure that alcohol manufacturers transition to legitimate businesses and comply with tax requirements.
Nyandarua is the last county to be visited under the current RRI tour, which began in Kirinyaga County. Kiambu County was identified as the most affected by the second-generation alcohol menace.
The Rapid Results Initiative was launched following President William Ruto’s New Year address, in which he declared a 100-day national, multi-agency crackdown to combat the abuse of alcohol, drugs, and illicit brews across Kenya.
Nkanatha reiterated his call for honesty, accountability, and cooperation from all stakeholders to eliminate the menace and protect communities.
By Antony Mwangi
