Waiguru Closes Down All Bars Hours After Kindiki Order

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has ordered the immediate closure of all bars in the county.

This comes following the death of 17 people who consumed ethanol-laced brew in early February.

Speaking on Saturday, February 17 while attending the mass funeral of the 17 victims, Waiguru expressed her sadness at the fraudulent system of license issuance to the bar owners in the county and directed that all establishments be closed.

She also directed that the process of varying their operational permits begin immediately.

"We have reached our end. I want you to allow me and give me protection. Today I want to announce that all bars in the county have been closed and a new process of verifying the licenses to begun.

"The county government has withdrawn all the licenses with immediate effect," said Waiguru.

The Council of Governors (CoG) chairperson further issued a stern warning to 11 county employees alleged to own some of the bars.

"You have a choice, you will either choose your bar or your job. If you own a bar you will not come to work. I have your names and we know which bars you run," she added.

The county boss called for heftier fines for those arrested as a result of operating illicit brew joints stating that the move will help fight Illicit liquor.

According to Waiguru those arrested selling illicit alcohol have been roaming freely after being released on lesser fines by the courts.

“If we can talk to the courts there is a need to have minimum fines for such offences. In Kirinyaga county the number of operating bars within the county is twice that of the schools and churches,” she stated.

Waiguru's order comes a day after Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki directed that a nationwide crackdown be carried out on all bars in the country and for the menace to be treated just like terrorism and banditry.

He made the orders after residents pleaded for the government to close down all the bars in Kirinyaga County so that the government could weed out those selling illicit brew.

"We are asking that the base be closed for even two months so that we can deal with the problem we are facing," one of the residents suggested.

"County commissioner and your team, you have heard what the people want. Today is Friday and I will be back here on Wednesday to ensure that the directive is effected," Kindiki responded.

He further indicated that the government would fire all officers who failed to take action against the illicit brew menace and its consumption in Kirinyaga.

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki addressing the media on February 16, 2024. /KITHURE KINDIKI