Uasin Gishu county has cancelled licences for more than 1,300 bars and drinking joints to fight alcoholism in the region.
Director of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Board Koiya Arap Maiyo says there were 2,100 bars and drinking joints last year but only 740 had been licenced to operate under the leadership of Governor Jonathan Bii.
He says strict licencing procedures had been introduced to ensure that no bars were located in villages, near schools, colleges or hospitals in the region.
"We have had a problem with alcoholism but Governor Bii has instructed us to ensure that as a county we support President William Ruto's plan to have a sober and healthy nation," Maiyo said.
He said the county was cognisant of challenges caused by alcoholism to the community and would not compromise on licencing procedures.
"When Governor Bii's administration took over we introduced more strict compliance procedures before anyone is allowed to sell alcohol", Maiyo said.
He said shortly the county would only allow bars to operate in urban areas but away from restricted areas that include residential estates.
Within Eldoret town, he said the county had cancelled licences for drinking joints which operated near schools and colleges.
This comes a few days after hundreds of women carried out protests against increased alcoholism at the Garage market in the county.
More than nine deaths linked to alcoholism have so far been reported in the area within the last month.
Maiyo said the county had stepped up inspection measures to ensure the drinking areas only operate within regulated time.
He said the county would also step up sensitisation campaigns in all parts of the region.
