Mt Elgon Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Stephen Wambura has revealed that more than 20 premises in Teso North Sub County have been closed in the ongoing crackdown against illicit brews, drugs, and substance abuse.
This is following the implementation of the directive by the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on the war against illicit brew in the country.
The security apparatus in the sub-county launched a crackdown to weed out unlicensed clubs, agro-vets, and pharmacies. Seven bars, 13 pharmacies, and 6 agro-vets were found operating illegally.
“We have intensified patrols across the sub county in effort to mitigate substance abuse within the sub county for the sake of future generation and in line with directive by CS Kidiki,” noted Wambura.
Wambura regretted that it’s now a game of hide-and-seek with businessmen who have decided to operate bars and pharmacies at night to avoid being impounded by the security team, which conducts raids daily.
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“We have instructed Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs that all traders operating drinking joints must have valid licenses and no bar should be operating 300 meters from the institutions of learning.”
Since the launch of the crackdown in the sub-county, over 30 people have been arraigned at Amagoro law court for not conforming with the standard requirements as per the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act.
The pharmacies and agro-vet owners have 30 days to submit licenses or close their businesses permanently. This is according to the Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Board (KPPB).
