Kirinyaga West Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Kennedy Nyamboga has urged chiefs, assistant chiefs, and village elders to take firm action against the brewing and sale of illicit alcohol in their areas of jurisdiction.
Nyamboga said local administrators and community leaders must work closely with other stakeholders to eradicate illicit brews, warning that laxity could lead to a recurrence of a tragedy witnessed in the county in 2024.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Kandongu, Mwea West, the DCC recalled the deaths of more than 20 people and the blinding of several others after consuming illicit alcohol in Kangai village in February 2024.
“Please support the government, as village elders, chiefs, and assistant chiefs, so that we can completely eradicate illicit brewing in our areas,” Nyamboga said.
He cautioned chiefs, assistant chiefs, and village elders that they would be held accountable if they failed to take action, in accordance with the law, against illicit alcohol.
“If, at any point, you fail in your responsibilities as assistant chiefs, chiefs, or village elders, you will have to bear the consequences,” he said.
Nyamboga pledged continued consultations with stakeholders to address challenges in the fight against illicit alcohol, saying there had been progress in containing the menace.
He also urged licensing authorities and other stakeholders to exercise greater vigilance when issuing and renewing licenses for bars and other alcoholic beverage outlets.
The DCC warned that individuals with genuine licenses could misuse them as a cover for selling illegal alcoholic products.
“We are doing a renewal of the licenses; this time around, let us be vigilant so that we don’t go back to what happened in Kangai. Please let us be firm,” he said.
Nyamboga called for closer monitoring of licensed premises to ensure that businesses complied with regulations and did not engage in the sale of illicit alcoholic products.
Kirinyaga Central Member of Parliament Gachoki Gitari, who attended the meeting, raised concerns over the licensing process, alleging that the number of licenses approved by established sub-county licensing committees sometimes increases mysteriously before the lists reach the county office.
Gitari said the licensing process required greater scrutiny and accountability to ensure that only compliant businesses were allowed to operate.
By Mutai Kipng’etich
