Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has ordered public officers who own and operate bars to shut them down or resign, as such actions violate the Public Ethics Act.
The CS stated that the Public Service Commission (PSC), the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), and other relevant agencies will examine staff records to ensure compliance.
“Further, and in line with the Public Ethics Act, all public officers in the enforcement/compliance chain (KRA, KEBS, ACA, Public Health, NACADA, NGAO, NPS) shall not own and operate a bar directly or via proxy.”
Further, he revealed that under Penal Code Section 20(c), landlords and property owners who lease space to construct bars, wine, and spirits stores in prohibited locations will be held accountable.
Additionally, the CS vehicles or buildings used in the storage and manufacturing trafficking of illegal drugs, illicit brews and alcohol shall be seized and deemed to be government property in pursuant to section 74 of the Narcotic Drugs and Pyschotropic Substances Control Act.
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Kindiki directed the Ministries of Interior and Health to establish measures for branding and color specification of all alcoholic and tobacco distribution vehicles.
“Further such products are to be transported between the hours of 6am and 6pm only. The guidelines to be issued within 14 days from this directive, with manufacturers expected to secure full implementation within 45 days,” Kindiki said.
The CS also directed the immediate shutdown of all unlicensed and noncompliant drug manufacturers, agrovets, and chemists.
“In this regard, all chemists and agrovets shall submit their licenses to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board and Veterinary Medicines Directorate for verification within 30 days, failure to which they shall be deemed unlicensed for closure.”
He said the list of currently approved and licensed establishments have already been shared with county security teams for reference.
