In a recent crackdown on licencing compliance, authorities in Marakwet West closed down 12 liquor outlets for failing to adhere to necessary regulations.
The closures, aimed at ensuring public safety and proper operation, have been met with mixed reactions from both business owners and the local community.
Among the affected establishments, three bars were forcibly closed in Cheptongei, while an equal number met the same fate at Chebiemit Market.
Additionally, six bars located in Kapsowar were shut down, bringing the total number of closures to ten. Authorities have cited various licencing violations as the primary reasons behind these drastic actions.
A significant issue highlighted during the operation was the use of temporary structures to house some of the establishments.
Such makeshift structures were found to be inadequate for meeting the rigorous standards set by licencing authorities, which required bars and liquor outlets to operate from permanent, structurally sound buildings.
Marakwet West Sub-County Administrator Patrick Maiyo emphasised that permits could not be granted to bars situated within mud structures.
Owners of the affected businesses are now faced with the task of finding suitable alternative premises if they wish to resume operations.
Furthermore, several of the closed businesses lacked essential facilities such as outhouses, a crucial requirement for the proper functioning of bars.
Maiyo underscored the significance of sanitary facilities, stating, “Lack of toilets is a health hazard as most of the people coming for services at the bar are likely to openly pee or defecate in the surrounding areas.”
During the inspection process conducted jointly by public health officials and police officers, it was revealed that three establishments failed to comply with the “300-meter rule.”
This rule mandates that liquor outlets be at least 300 metres away from public institutions, including schools, churches, mosques, and hospitals.
Violating this regulation not only compromises public safety but also raises concerns about the potential negative influence of alcohol-related establishments in close proximity to educational and healthcare institutions.
In a bid to encourage compliance and prevent further closures, the authorities have issued a warning to other operational liquor outlets that have yet to apply for licences.
These establishments have been granted a three-week grace period to regularise their licencing status, failing which they could also face forced closure.
This move underscores the government’s commitment to enforcing licencing regulations strictly and ensuring the well-being of the local population.
As the affected business owners grapple with the sudden closures and the need for extensive adjustments to their operations, community members are divided in their opinions.
While some support the crackdown as a necessary step towards maintaining order and public health, others express concern over the abruptness of the closures and their potential impact on local livelihoods.
In the coming weeks, the focus will remain on the efforts of business owners to comply with the licencing regulations and on the authorities’ commitment to creating a safe and regulated environment for alcohol consumption within Marakwet West.
The recent closures are a stark reminder that adherence to licencing rules is not just a legal requirement but a fundamental aspect of responsible business operation.
By Rennish Okong’o
