209 people arrested in Nyanza over illicit alcoholic drinks.

The Nyanza Regional Commissioner Moffat Kangi{R} with his predecessor Wilson Njega.The RC has said a total of 209 people have been arrested in Nyanza following a crackdown on illicit alcoholic drinks-File Photo.

By Dickson Odhiambo.

March 21, 2018.

209 people arrested in Nyanza over illicit alcoholic drinks.

A TOTAL of 209 people have been arrested in Nyanza region following a major crackdown on illicit alcoholic drinks.

Nyanza Regional Commissioner Moffat Kangi says this has been due to crackdown that was recently launched in the area so as to net the illicit alcoholic drinks which is being sold in the region.

Addressing the press to give an update on the crackdown on the illicit drinks on Tuesday this week, Kangi said, they have been checking whether those who have been engaged in the sale of alcoholic drinks comply with the provisions of Alcoholic Drinks Control Act of 2012.

He says they have been also checking whether those alcoholic drinks which are on sale are to the standards required by law, adding that a number of substandard have been netted in a number of premises. 

Kangi says that the operation which has taken two weeks, they visited 200 premises in Nyanza and 209 arrests which have been made and taken to court.

Kangi adds that a total of 150 premises which are engaged in the sale of illicit alcoholic drinks have been closed in the area following the crackdown.

He says many more such premises will be closed down since the crackdown will be conducted under the Rapid Response Initiative {RRI} which will last 100 days.

“This is only a tip on the iceberg and more arrests are going to be made as well as closing down of many premises. I want to thank members of the public who have provided us with the information,” he says.

He has also thanked the concerted efforts of the various counties security teams as well as other stakeholders like the Kenya Bureau of Standards and the Kenya Revenue Authority for ensuring the crackdowns and operations are done well.

He says the exercise will continue until seen there is total compliance with the law in regard to the sale of alcoholic drinks.

“I want to appeal to our leaders to continue to preach to the public to avoid the drinking joints which have not been inspected and certified to be okay for selling alcoholic drinks,” he adds.

Kangi adds that a few people who have been arrested have been trying to intimidate the police officers who have been carrying out the crackdown.

“A few people who have been arrested have been trying to intimidate our officers through sending messages, phone calls and by sending intimidating persons but I am happy the police have decisively dealt with such issues and those who have done so have been arrested and taken to court,” he adds.

He says the health of the public is very important and cannot be ruined by illicit alcoholic drinks.

He adds that crackdown has been conducted in all the six counties within the region namely Kisumu, Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Homa Bay and Siaya.

He says some of the illicit alcoholic drinks come from a neighboring country and this has been a challenge. 

ENDS: