Six secondary school students were among 22 individuals arrested on Wednesday in Nyeri Town following a crackdown on bars operating in contravention of laws governing liquor industry.
The minors were found drinking at an entertainment joint that doubles as a brothel in full uniform as schools opened for second term Wednesday.
Following the swoop involving a multi-agency team led by County Commissioner, Fredrick Shisia, two bars were closed down including one found selling liquor to the minors.
Shisia said they contacted the students’ parents to take over the matter while the rest were booked at central police station awaiting arraignment in court over offenses including operating outside the stipulated time and failure to meet required health standards.
The team comprising officers from Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, Ministry of Health, Nacada, KEBS, KRA, Anti-Counterfeit Agency and National Police Service visited eight outlets insisting the crackdown will continue until sanity is brought in the industry.
The commissioner added that they were also able to impound various alcoholic drinks that did not have valid product standardization marks, adding no one contravening the set standards would be spared.
“There will be no sacred cows or big fish in this fight,” the commissioner said, adding the crackdown that started two months ago was well on course.
Nacada official, Alice Mwangi, said the crackdown would be sustained until sanity is brought in the multi-billion industry.
“We will continue with this exercise of inspecting liquor outlets to ensure all laws governing the industry are followed to the letter,” said Ms. Mwangi.
An officer from the County Government in charge of liquor licensing, Charles Gachango said immense progress had been made in regulation of the industry following the enactment of County Liquor Act.
He said among the provisions in the Act include empowerment of the government in taking drastic measures including revocation of licenses for those flouting set rules.
By Samuel Waititu
