Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich has suspended licensing of new bars and clubs in the region in renewed efforts to boost the war on alcoholism.
Rotich said the county was headed in the wrong direction with many people engaging in alcoholism, especially the consumption of illicit brews and second general alcohol.
The governor has directed that all bars and clubs or entertainment joints selling alcohol should be vetted afresh to ensure they comply with the new measures or be shut down.
“It’s evident that if we don’t act now then soon we will be burying so many people because of this problem of high consumption of illicit alcohol,” Rotich said.
The governor also replaced the County Alcoholic Drinks Regulations Committees and inaugurated a new team.
He asked residents to attend public participation forums to make recommendations before new licenses for bars and clubs are issued.
"We shall enforce all necessary recommendations, especially those concerning closure of alcoholic outlets that sell illicit alcohol," Rotich said.
The governor spoke in his office when he issued appointment letters to the newly constituted Subcounty Alcoholic Drinks Regulations Committee.
"As a county, we have no other choice but to act in order to save the lives of our people. We have to act urgently before we start burying people as is happening in other parts of the country," he said.
Keiyo North Deputy County Commissioner Julius Maiyo conceded that the alcohol problem in the county was a ticking time bomb.
He said the sale of second generation alcohol had become rampant. Some of the illicit alcohol on sale in the region includes as Flying Horse, African Spear and Konyagi, which Maiyo said were highly being consumed by locals.
He cited one bar where youthful patrons drank the alcohol while performing sodomy.
Maiyo said he ordered the closure of the bar and its license revoked, adding that the gov ernment will not relent in taking stern action on such bar owners.
The governor and the DCC cautioned the new subcounty committees against being compromised through bribery to allow sale of adulterated alcohol.
Rotich also cautioned county staff undermining the war against illicit alcohol that he would not hesitate to take action against them.
Present during the function was Public Service Administration executive Monicah Rotich, her colleagues Alphaeus Tanui (Finance), Purity Koima (Sports) and Keiyo South DCC Diana Wekesa.
