Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has directed the government to review the licensing and regulation of the alcohol trade as part of broader efforts to address the effects of alcohol and drug abuse.
Kindiki has directed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to convene a sector forum within 14 days to examine the licensing and control of alcohol trade and consumption.
The forum will bring together the Interior Ministry, county governments and other relevant stakeholders to discuss how the licensing framework can be strengthened and how national and county governments can work together in addressing alcohol-related challenges.
Kindiki issued the directive on Tuesday, September 29, after meeting Murkomen, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and heads of regulatory and enforcement agencies in Karen, Nairobi.
“The National and County Governments will partner to build and operate at least one public rehabilitation centre per County within the next one year, at an estimated cost of 60 million shillings per facility, “statement read
The Deputy President said the forum should also establish a framework for cooperation between the two levels of government in setting up and running rehabilitation services.
The directive comes as the government seeks to strengthen coordination between enforcement agencies and regulators involved in controlling the manufacture, distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages.
Kindiki said intelligence-led multi-agency operations had disrupted illicit alcohol and drug supply chains over the past year, including unlicensed manufacturing establishments.
He also linked the progress to the involvement of village elders and the establishment of the National Government Administration Unit, which he said had strengthened government efforts at the grassroots.
Beyond the licensing review, Kindiki directed enforcement and regulatory agencies to re-inspect manufacturing premises to establish their current compliance with applicable standards and regulations.
The inspections are expected to provide authorities with an updated assessment of manufacturers and help identify premises that may not be complying with the required regulatory standards.
The Deputy President also announced plans for a Special Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council meeting in the coming month to address the wider economic impact of alcohol and drug abuse.
Kindiki said the government needed to escalate action because addiction and the trade in alcohol and drugs were having consequences beyond public health and security.
The planned IBEC engagement is expected to bring the national and county governments into discussions on the economic and administrative dimensions of the problem.
The government is also preparing to increase resources and equipment for security and regulatory agencies involved in enforcement.
Kindiki said the measures were part of a broader government effort to protect public health while improving coordination between national agencies, county governments and regulatory bodies.
