The Nyanza Regional Coordinator (RC), Moffat Kangi has called on the police and chiefs to intensify war against contraband goods and illicit liquor in the region.
Kangi lamented that contraband goods sneaked into the region from neighbouring countries were hurting the economy as the unscrupulous individuals behind the schemes evade paying taxes.
He said the region should not be used as conduit to sneak in such goods and called for vigilance amongst all security agents.
Addressing top Siaya county security bosses and chiefs at the Holy Cross Ramba Catholic Church Hall in Siaya on Wednesday, the RC called for close working relationship between the security agencies and other government departments to ensure the region was free from illicit liquor.
He cautioned chiefs against abetting trade against outlawed liquor in their areas and warned that they risked being sacked if they fail to perform.
The occasion was also attended by the Siaya county commissioner, Jacob Narengo and deputy county commissioners from Siaya, Bondo, Rarieda, Gem, Ugenya and Ugunja.
The RC’s call come in the wake of the flooding of rural trading centres with liquor packed in satchets whose major source is believed to be a neighbouring country. The liquor has seen even chang’aa peddlers complain that it was denying them market as most youths prefer it as it was portable.
The contraband, according to police sources, are sneaked into the country through unofficial routes and, apart from posing a health hazard to the consumers, they are also posing an environmental hazard as the polythene satchets are disposed off haphazardly.
By Philip Onyango
