West Pokot County Commissioner, Apollo Okello has banned night discos during the Christmas festivities in the area.
Okello said many of the clubs in the area have been known to be taking advantage of the December long holidays by allowing under age and school going children in their premises to boost their sales.
Speaking on Thursday at Makutano stadium, the commissioner said licenses for those found flouting his directive will be cancelled and instructed chiefs to be on look out in their areas of jurisdiction.
Okello singled out a recent incident where he visited one of the nightclubs at Makutano town and found children between the age of nine and 16 in the club taking alcohol in the name of having a party,saying the manager was arrested and appeared before the court where he was fined sh. 20,000.
“My office has received a lot of complaints on night discos and personally I visited one a few days ago and I am instructing the officer commanding police station (OCS) not to issue license to any club or bar during the Christmas time,” said the commissioner.
The ban came out after the local leaders complained during the function that many of the school going children have fallen victim to the night clubs.
The CC pointed out that the ban will ensure that the school going children do not sneak out of their homes to take alcohol.
He further blamed the night discos for early pregnancies and high school dropouts and at the same time introducing drugs to the young ones.
The commissioner further warned parents and guardians against allowing their children to attend discos, saying any one who will be caught will be prosecuted.
‘Makutano Township is known for these illegal businesses. We have been cautioning the owners against allowing under age children who involve in illicit activities but this time round we shall start crackdown in all,” he said.
He added that the law enforcement officers will remain vigilant and conduct raids in such clubs to ensure no one is involved in such acts.
Speaking during the celebrations, the leaders led by the area governor Prof. John Lonyangapuo and Senator, Samuel Phoghisio expressed concern over increasing rate of insecurity at Makutano township, saying business people have lost their property to the criminals.
They pointed out that some of the suspects are known and wondered why the security arm has not taken any step.
“For the few days, about six pro box cars have been stolen in this Makutano town and incidents reported to the police and so far no report has been received,” said Lonyangapuo.
He further called on the security personnel to intensify patrols during this festive season.
On the state of development in the county, the governor said his government will continue in promoting agriculture, saying for the last one year, they have continue improving livestock breeds, revival of cash crops live pyrethrum, coffee, tea, sisal among others.
He said solar powered refrigerators for the storage of vaccines’ introduced in all health facilities and will employ 100 additional nurses this financial year.
By John Saina.
