A Machakos Multi agency team has commended the Mavoko business community for compliance with regard to acquiring licenses, fulfilling regulations and legal framework set by Kenya Bureau of Standards and Kenya Revenue Authority.
The Multi agency team consisting of the local administration, Sub County Police Commander, CIPU Commander, KEBS, KRA team, and licensing and inspection teams from Machakos County.
Speaking at his office in Mavoko, during the launch of a 90-day rapid results initiative (RRI) crackdown, the Athi River Deputy County Commissioner Charles Wambugu, said that they have visited several business premises and were impressed with the level of compliance.
“Today we have started a 90-day RRI crackdown and we have managed to visit 11 business premises which comprise of manufacturers, depots and retailers and we are impressed with the level of compliance,” said Wambugu who chairs the multi-agency team in Mavoko.
He urged investors, micro and medium enterprise owners in Mavoko to continue ensuring they comply with the regulations because the RRI crackdown will last for three months and added they have activated other agency teams in the region.
“The crackdown will continue and so we have mobilised and activated our ward and divisional multi-agency teams for the purposes of check and balances and to achieve our objectives in Kinanie, Mavoko, Lukenya and Mlolongo area,” added Wambugu.
The DCC warned wines and spirits operators who have the tendency of flouting their licenses for selling take away liquor and converting their outlets to bars to desist since it is against the Public Health regulations.
Wambugu noted that they encourage people to do their business in Mavoko as long as they adhere to the regulations, ifs its bar and restaurant one should know the requirements.
He said if one is supposed to close their premises at 10 pm then they should stick to the provisions or risk getting in trouble with the law and have their licenses revoked.
The administrator pointed out that so far no arrests have been made nor any contraband liquor confiscated during the raid on Tuesday morning.
This comes after 16 workers were arrested in February this year when police raided an illegal liquor distillery in Athi River, Mavoko Sub County in Machakos.
Fake KRA stamps, packed liquor cartons and ethanol were recovered during the raid which law enforcement officers noted has resulted into a tax loss revenue of Sh2.5 million.
The team was led by Athi River Director of Criminal Investigations (DCIO) John Kanda who raided the premises following a tip off from members of the public.
By Anne Kangero
