NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 19 – The Government has launched a nationwide vetting campaign targeting alcohol manufacturers as part of the ongoing efforts to address the scourge of alcohol and drug abuse in the country.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said that the move seeks to safeguard public health and national security.
PS Omollo noted that the vetting process, initiated on Monday has seen the suspension of all licenses for second-generation alcohol distillers and manufacturers pending thorough scrutiny.
The Focus is particularly directed towards spirit manufacturers, with over 29 premises slated for examination.
“Already, 35 companies have been identified as having their licenses either previously suspended, canceled or found dormant,” Omollo stated.
The Interior PS said that the verification exercise mandates that manufacturers install quality control laboratories equipped with specialized testing apparatus and qualified personnel, to guarantee proper scrutiny of raw materials and finished products.
Additionally, Omollo said the implementation of strict product tracking systems is required to monitor alcohol distribution from source to consumer.
The government is also cracking down on bars operating in residential areas or near schools, and those that do not adhere to operating hours, resulting in thousands of closures and confiscations.
In regards to shisha, the ban remains, with numerous establishments shut down for violations.
“Compliance operations have, similarly, been extended to the pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors, resulting in the closure of 804 chemists/pharmacies and 761 agrovets,” the PS Said.
Recognizing the gravity of the issue, the government classified it as a major national security concern and introduced 25 directives to address the problem across the board.
On March 6, the government’s commitment to this cause was underscored by a declaration that intensified the battle against these substances.
Following this, a meeting took place on March 12, where the majority of alcoholic beverage manufacturers were informed about the upcoming vetting of their operations.
A multi-agency team, led by PS Omollo, was established to oversee the vetting process, which began on March 18.
This team included representatives from various government departments and agencies, all working together to ensure a rigorous examination of the alcohol production and distribution chain.
