• Kindiki said any contravention to this directives shall attract punishment.
• The perpetrators, he said will be fined or imprisoned as stipulated by law.
Image: FILE
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki now says that no bars or liquor-selling establishments will be allowed to operate beyond the set, operating hours.
Speaking on Wednesday, Kindiki said any contravention of these directives shall attract punishment.
The perpetrators, he said will be fined or imprisoned as stipulated by law.
"No bars or alcoholic outlets shall be allowed to operate beyond the stipulated operation hours as provided in section 34 of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, failure to which the operator shall be fined or imprisoned as provided by law and all the drinks, and related accessories in the premises forfeited with accompanying license withdrawal," Kindiki said.
The law in Kenya stipulates that bars should operate from 5 pm to 11 pm during weekdays. On weekends, they can operate from 2 pm to 11 pm.
The directive is part of the government's new action measures on eradication of illicit brews, drug and substance abuse.
The drive to have the country free of the chokehold of drug and substance abuse is being spearheaded by deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
According to Kindiki, illicit brews, drugs and substance abuse is rampant among teenagers, the youth and even the elderly.
He termed this as not only a grave social concern but also an existential threat to the wellbeing and sustainable future of the country.
"They are directly and negatively impacting economic growth and development, ruining lives and livelihoods, occasioning family disintegration, facilitating crime and the spread of disease such as HIV/AIDS and indeed, are a major Health and Security Threat.
"Every household in Kenya hosts and can relate to incidences of alcohol and drug abuse," he said.
Kindiki also announced that the government has banned the importation, manufacture, sale and use of Shisha in the country.
He added that advertisement, promotion or distribution of the same is also illegal with immediate effect.
The CS noted that establishments that will be found to sell the same will be shut down.
"The importation, manufacture, sale, use, advertisement, promotion or distribution of shisha is outlawed in the country, any establishment found in breach of this provision will be shut down with immediate effect," Kindiki said.
He directed County Security Teams to enforce the directives are adhered to, without fail.