Kindiki Puts Govt Officers On Notice In Latest Alcohol Crackdown

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Monday, June 12, fired a warning to chiefs, assistant chiefs, and police officers while announcing a crackdown on alcohol manufacturers, distributors and sellers across Kenya.

Speaking at Kirubia Stadium in Tharaka Nithi County, the Interior CS cautioned security officials who will be caught receiving bribes to protect those who continue to produce and sell illicit brews.

While noting that their actions had contributed to the loss of credibility in that department among Kenyans, Kindiki announced that those found undertaking the act will be interdicted immediately.

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki listening during the 3rd regional stakeholders' engagement on the fight against trade, use, abuse, and consumption of illicit alcohol, narcotics, and other psychotropic substances at Kirubia Stadium, Tharaka Nithi County on June 12, 2023. /FACEBOOK.KITHURE KINDIKI

“Any Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, and Police officers receiving protection money from illicit alcohol brewers or peddlers of drugs are agents of killers and do not deserve their management positions. We will not transfer you to another station. We will get rid of you.

“People don't regard us very highly because others take bribes and look the other way allowing injustice to flourish. We will not exclude any person including government officials including colleagues of mine,” he vowed.

The CS further noted that the government was committed to reviewing all the licenses for second-generation alcohol dealers.

Kindiki noted that some of the authorised manufacturers purchased ethanol and ran parallel businesses whereby they produced unauthorised products which put consumers' lives in danger.

He added that some of the licensed companies were subcontracting their production to other unauthorised businesses.

“Many of those who are genuinely licenced have subcontracted their production to others and some of the ethanol that they are legitimately using under their license is being used to produce other unhealthy products.

“For that reason, we are going to review all the licenses involved in the manufacture, distribution and sale of second-generation alcohol. We will review all the licenses again,” he announced.

On the crackdown, the CS expressed that it was the only way to curb the risks and dangers caused by the consumption of toxic alcohol in the country.

He added that the government would increase funding for the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) to bolster their chances in the war against alcohol abuse in the country, especially among the youth.

“The same risk and danger that bandits and terrorists pose on our nation is actually the same risk and danger that the people who manufacture distribute and sell dangerous toxic alcohol that is destroying the health of our nation pose.

“The difference is that they use different methods. I dare say, what these substances are doing to this nation is worse than the damage that has been caused by bandits and terrorists in terms of numbers,” he went on.

The Interior CS further expressed fear that the country might lose a whole generation if the government does not take immediate, conclusive, and ruthless steps to deal with those who manufacture, distribute, and sell poisonous alcoholic drinks and drugs.