Murkomen warns chiefs, police over collusion in North Rift alcohol crackdown
Murkomen explained that the crackdown is part of a broader initiative to eliminate the circulation of second-generation alcohol and narcotic drugs that have taken root in the North Rift region.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a stern warning to government officers colluding with rogue traders to facilitate the sale of second-generation alcohol, announcing a targeted crackdown in the North Rift region.
Speaking on Thursday in Kapsabet Town during the launch of the 19th Jukwaa la Usalama grassroots engagement in Nandi County, Murkomen stated that chiefs, assistant chiefs, and police officers would be held personally accountable if found to be tolerating or enabling the distribution of harmful substances.
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“An unholy alliance between some of our officers and rogue business people is abetting the sale of illicit drugs, and we are going after them,” Murkomen declared, stressing that his ministry would not tolerate internal sabotage in the fight against drugs and illicit brews.
He explained that the crackdown is part of a broader initiative to eliminate the circulation of second-generation alcohol and narcotic drugs that have taken root in the North Rift region.
Alcohol and drug peddlers
Murkomen noted that Nandi County and other neighbouring areas have increasingly become targets for alcohol and drug peddlers, largely due to the high number of young people living in rural villages and attending nearby colleges.
“We will repurpose our chiefs, assistant chiefs and police officers to understand the consequences they will face if found condoning the sale and distribution of these harmful substances,” he said.
The CS also announced that Nandi County, which had previously been sidelined during the rollout of new administrative units, will soon benefit from the operationalisation of six new divisions.
“Nandi County was left behind by previous administrations, but we are correcting that by ensuring these six divisions become functional soon,” he added.
This renewed crackdown follows the government’s decision in March to suspend all licences for manufacturers of second-generation alcohol. Under the directive issued on March 6, all affected distillers and manufacturers were required to reapply for certification.
“Pursuant to section 4(2)(k) of the Preservation of Public Security Act, all licences and certification permits for second-generation alcohol and alcoholic beverage distillers and manufacturers, issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority and Kenya Bureau of Standards, stand suspended with immediate effect,” the directive read.
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