Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga wants the issuance of operating licenses for nightclubs to be restricted to the five major centres of Naro Moru, Karatina, Mweiga, Othaya, and Nyeri town.
Dr. Kahiga says it does not make economic sense for the smaller centres to be allowed to operate nightclubs given that business operations in these areas close as early as 9 pm.
“This is an executive order that the county shall not issue nightclub licenses outside the major centres in the county. We all know the five major centres, and therefore such establishments should be left to the big centres,” stated Dr. Kahiga.
Dr. Kahiga spoke on Thursday during the inauguration ceremony of the county and sub-county alcoholic drinks regulation committees. The teams will be responsible for managing and streamlining the liquor industry in line with the Nyeri County Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, 2023, and its Regulations.
The law, which was assented to in March last year, is aimed at managing and regulating the production, distribution, sale, and consumption of alcoholic drinks in the county. It also aimed at reigning in sanity in an industry which has negatively impacted almost 50 per cent of the county’s population.
According to a 2022 Report from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse (NACADA), 635,000 from the area were found to be addicted to alcoholism and drugs, a figure that almost tallies with the county’s total population, which stands at 700,000.
In his remarks, Dr. Kihaga said that the county is not out to fight legitimate alcohol businesses, adding that he was keen on eradicating the proliferation of second-generation and illicit brews. The governor also asked the residents to support the county in tackling the menace, which he said threatens to wipe out men as they are the worst affected by the vice.
“As a county, we are not fighting the genuine liquor businesses because I am the one issuing them with operating licenses. Our fight is against illicit brews and second-generation alcohol,” he said.
Some of the notable provisions of the law include a Sh10 million penalty for alcohol manufacturers who will be found distributing illicit liquor in the county. Similarly, a manufacturer who adulterates an alcoholic drink by adding impurities, prohibited substances, or additives will be liable to a fine not exceeding Sh 10 million or a jail sentence of 3 years, or both, upon conviction.
The law also prescribed a Sh10,000 fine for any licensed bar owner found selling alcohol to an already intoxicated customer.
It also introduced changes to the hours of operations. While bars and restaurants were restricted to selling alcohol from 2 pm to 11 pm, wine and spirit-selling outlets were to sell alcohol from 5 pm to 11 pm.
The new law also reorganised the County and sub-county liquor licensing committees and removed representatives of bar owners from the committees. Notably, it also brought in measures that would foster cooperation between the National and County Government in enforcing the law.
As part of their mandate, Dr. Kahiga also challenged the members of the committees to create awareness in the sub-counties about the risks and consequences of excessive alcoholism. Dr. Kahiga said there is a need to invest in public campaigns to not only promote responsible drinking but also empower members of the public to make informed decisions about their alcohol consumption.
“As you go out there to issue licenses, I want you to also educate members of the public about the dangers of alcoholism. The number of people benefiting from the sale of alcohol is less compared to those it affects negatively, so there is a need to foster a culture of moderation,” stated Dr. Kahiga.
Terming the fight against illicit brews as a collective responsibility, Nyeri County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi pledged the support of National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) in streamlining the industry in the county.
He also asked the members of the committee to exercise due diligence and conduct thorough background checks to avoid issuing the licenses to unscrupulous businesspeople.
“There are many interests that you will need to balance, and I pray that the committee is able to balance them in the right way so that we issue the right people with the licenses. NGAO will work very closely with the county, and I want to believe that my team on the ground will be involved so that at the end of the day we are in sync on how to work for the good of our community,” he said.
By Wangari Mwangi and Bacha Muigai
