Fight against alcoholism will not stop, says Gachagua

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said various agencies are working to secure gains in the fight against illicit alcohol and drug abuse in the country.

Gachagua said this is guided by stringent measures adopted in March.  

He reiterated that the government will not relent in its resolve to eradicate the manufacture, distribution, sale and consumption of illicit brew.

The DP was speaking at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, on Wednesday during a high-level multi-agency meeting on implementation of Government directives on eradication of illicit alcohol, drugs and substance abuse.

The forum was attended by Principal Secretaries Raymond Omollo (Internal Security and National Administration), Harry Kimtai (Medical Services) and Terry Mbaika (Devolution) and officials from the Kenya Revenue Authority and regulatory agencies like Kenya Bureau of Standards.

Others were heads and representatives from the Ministry of Health, Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Anti-Counterfeit Authority and Office of the Attorney-General.

PS Omollo said that since March, police have conducted 65,488 raids on liquor outlets and as at June 30, the County Security teams had arrested 30,675 people and seized 358,000 litres of chang'aa, 2.7 million litres of kangara, 8,000 litres of ethanol and 389 shisha bongs.

The meeting was also informed that the Ministry of Health has since issued directives to all Level Three and above hospitals to establish wards for rehabilitation of persons affected by alcoholism and drug abuse. 

Gachagua said the 25 stringent directives announced by the Government on March 6, 2024 to curb illicit brew, drug, and substance abuse in the country have been effective and that nation has registered gains after fresh vetting of the alcohol manufacturers.

"It is a huge win for this administration with zero cost. This is a war we cannot relent because it is good for the country and has been successful," he said.

The DP urged state agencies tasked with the fight against illicit brew and drugs abuse to stamp out the menace and lauded county security teams for their achievements.

He, however, asked the security officers to enhance surveillance at border points to avert entry of contraband goods such as illegal ethanol used in manufacturing of second generation alcohol.

"The measures have been effective. Families have been restored and we are getting back our country to sobriety," he said.

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board told the forum that it has inspected 408 premises and prosecution of nine people is ongoing for non-adherence to good pharmaceutical practices. 

The board noted that it has closed 150 premises and seized 325 cartons of medicines.

The agency is also developing guidelines on enhancement of fines and forfeiture of confiscated medicines by the courts.

The State Department for Internal Security and National Administration said it is proposing amendment to the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act to provide for traceability of raw materials and end products throughout the value chain. The proposal is contained in the Government's Omnibus Bill, which is before the Attorney General.