Transportation of all alcoholic and tobacco products will only be between 6 am and 6 pm, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has declared.
"The Ministry of Interior and National Administration and Ministry of Health shall put in place measures for branding and colour specification of all alcoholic and tobacco distribution vehicles. Further, such products are to be transported between the hours of 6 am and 6 pm only," he said.
However, the CS noted that the guidelines will be issued within 14 days from today.
Following this, Kindiki stated that manufacturers are expected to secure full implementation within 45 days.
In addition to that, the CS also stated 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.
