Members of Parliament (MPs) have alleged that the police are facilitating the trade of illegal alcohol and counterfeit brands.
They are calling for Inspector General of Police, Japheth Koome, to appear before the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security to explain the police’s involvement in combating the production and sale of illicit brews.
The demand comes hot on the heels of an incident in Kangai Village, Kirinyaga County where 23 people died after consuming illicit alcohol. Following this incident, police officers in the area were recalled as Deputy President Gachagua also called out police officers operating liquor businesses in the area
The officers were told to make a choice on whether to resign to continue running their bar businesses or enforce the law. Same sentiments were also echoed by Governor Waiguru who asked County Government staff operating liquor outlets to make a choice of venturing into business or retaining their employment.
She said some 11 staff from the County Government were operating bars and therefore were conflicted and a hinderance to the enforcement of the liquor licensing regulations.
Kirinyaga County Woman Representative, Njeri Maina, expressed her disappointment with the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security for not issuing a statement regarding the fatalities occurring nationwide due to the consumption of illicit alcohol.
She decried the rampant trade in illicit and adulterated liquor, the proliferation of counterfeit alcoholic brands, the mushrooming of unlicensed liquor outlets and a surge in underage drinking.
“Could the Cabinet Secretary explain measures the Government has put in place to ensure strict compliance with the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2010 and effective implementation of alcohol control policies in regions mostly affected by consumption of illicit brews? she questioned
Kimani Ichung’wah, the Majority Party Leader, emphasized the need for Parliament to pass laws that would create uniform regulations and standards across the country for alcohol licensing, thereby ensuring more effective processes.
“The problem is not one that we can point at the county governments in terms of licensing of bars. It begins with law enforcement vide the police. Therefore, the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security being the one that oversees the police, must be emphatic in ensuring that his Committee summons the Inspector General of Police to say what they are going to do to ensure that the police do their work of enforcing the law as it is,” Ichung’wah said.
Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, who chairs the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security said time is ripe to tighten laws and policies on licensing, especially at the county level.
He said counties should revert some functions to the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) for proper management and licensing of liquor stores.
