Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS), Professor Kithure Kindiki, has revealed that 300 people have been arrested in 765 raids conducted in the last three days in Machakos County, during the ongoing national crackdown on illicit, second generation liquor and substance abuse.Speaking to the media at the County Commissioner’s office, after a meeting with the County Security and Intelligence Committee, Kindiki sent a warning to manufactures, transporters, distributors and consumers of the illicit liquor, that action will be taken against them according to the law.
The CS added that the government has rolled out a national campaign and security operation, to reverse the challenges brought by traffickers of narcotic drugs and illicit killer brew, such as increase of unproductive people and broken families.
He warned that no bars or alcoholic outlets will be allowed to operate beyond the stipulated operation hours, saying those caught flouting the rules, will be fined or imprisoned, as provided for by the law and all the drinks, and related accessories in the premises confiscated with accompanying license withdrawn.
“We are going to use all the resources and security infrastructure Kenya has to arrest, defeat and overcome those that are involved in destroying future generations, by enslaving our children in hard drugs and killer brews,” warned Kindiki.
The CS noted that in the next ten years the country’s population will be altered and there will be no responsible generation, if action against killer brews and related enterprise is not crushed.
He disclosed that the government was reviewing the security situation in Machakos, to ensure there’s operational and strategic intervention, to strengthen security in the County and provide a conducive working environment for residents.
“The National Security Council has determined that the problem of narcotic drugs and killer brew, is no longer a social and economic burden to the country, but a real threat to the sustainability of the country,” CS pointed out.
He cautioned politicians from interfering with the operation or conducting raids, which he said, will be left entirely on law enforcement agencies to carry out.
This comes days after Machakos County Commissioner and Machakos security agencies seized 850 boxes of second generation liquor with 24 bottles in each box of 250 ml in Matungulu Sub-county.
Additionally, the government maintains that all licenses and certification permits for second-generation alcohol and alcoholic beverage distillers and manufacturers, be suspended with immediate effect, and all existing valid licenses will be vetted afresh within 21 days of this directive, with premises approved to
resume operations, only upon receipt of fresh approval.
By Anne Kangero and Veronica Mbithi
