A multi-agency team has been formed to reinforce the fight against illicit brewing in Narok County in a bid to wipe out the illegal drinks in the county.
Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia said he will lead the joint team consisting of police officers, village elders, and National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO), who will be carrying out impromptu visits in different points notorious for selling the drinks.
Commissioner Lotiatia said no one will be spared in the fight, noting that most of the illegal dens are owned by police officers and other senior government officials.
“Some of the people who have been operating without license are police officers, I want to remind them that no police officer will be allowed to operate any alcoholic business as they are the ones who are supposed to enforce the law against illegal drinks,” said the commissioner.
He reminded stakeholders that only those with legal licenses will be allowed to operate drinking joints as their premises have been certified to be suitable to sell alcohol.
“No bar should be near a school or worship center. They must follow laid down regulations and ensure their drinks are certified by Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA),” he continued.
He spoke after meeting senior police officers who included Sub County Police Commanders, Officers Commanding Station (OCS), Deputy County Commissioners and Assistant County Commissioners at Maasai Mara University Hall.
Also present in the meeting was officer in charge of prosecution counsel Gitonga Murang’a, who called on the police to investigate the cases properly so that no loophole will be left during prosecution.
“We are going to pursue an aspect of cancellation of licenses where persons are acting in breach of those licenses and acting in a manner that is not as per the license they were given”, said the prosecutor.
“Many families are suffering from this menace hence we will play an active role as the prosecutors in pursuing these drugs and illicit alcohol”, he added.
“We have given the administrators advice on how to have solid evidence that is needed to have a case that can stand the test of time. This is because most of the cases brought in court have no evidence,” he said.
This comes at a time when six women were fined Sh30,000 or serve a six months of imprisonment each for operating liquor premises without a valid license today.
Senior Resident Magistrate Sagero Rachemi of Narok law courts convicted the six of their own guilty pleas warning them of dire consequences if they repeated the crime.
The six were: Joyce Akinyi 30, Mary Wangari 27 Valery Nasieku, Joan Chelangat, Daisy Kemunto and Caroline Kwamboka who were arrested in different parts of the county operating liquor premises without a valid license.
By Ann Salaton
