Government Turns To Religious Leaders In Fight Against Illicit Alcohol

By Our Correspondent

The government is seeking to enlist religious leaders in a renewed nationwide campaign against illicit alcohol, as authorities intensify efforts to curb its spread and address its impact on communities, particularly young people.

County governments are expected to strengthen enforcement against unlicensed manufacturers and distributors while tightening controls on the issuance of liquor licenses.

Council of Governors (CoG) chairperson and Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki said religious leaders would play a critical role in mobilizing communities and promoting behavioral change as the government steps up efforts to combat the menace.

Njuki said the clergy had a moral responsibility to work with the government, particularly county administrations, to address the social harm associated with illicit alcohol.

He said a meeting between governors and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki had agreed to establish a task force to spearhead grassroots campaigns and take action against rogue manufacturers and distributors.

“As all the county governments, we are teaming up to ensure we salvage our young generation and of importance is dealing with the manufacturers and distributors of the illicit brews,” he said.

Njuki said the situation in Tharaka Nithi had prompted the county government to tighten controls on the establishment of drinking establishments, resulting in a significant decline in liquor license applications.

He said the number of regular license applications had dropped from more than 2,500 to about 900 following the introduction of stricter controls.

The renewed campaign comes amid growing concern over illicit alcohol consumption in the Mount Kenya region, where the problem has been described as a looming social crisis threatening the welfare of young people and families.

In a recent incident, women in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County, reportedly confronted suspected illicit alcohol brewers, raising concerns about the impact of the trade on young people in their communities.

Kindiki has also reiterated the government’s commitment to eliminating illicit alcohol. Speaking at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, he called for closer collaboration among government agencies and other stakeholders to strengthen the fight.

The Council of Governors said county administrations needed to establish stricter vetting procedures for liquor license applications to regulate the number of operators and prevent the proliferation of unlicensed establishments.

The proposed measures are expected to combine enforcement against illegal producers and distributors with community outreach initiatives aimed at discouraging the consumption of illicit alcohol.