- In addition, seven vessels for trafficking drugs, 3,603 rolls of bhang and 44 stones have been seized.
- The development comes days after the Interior Ministry announced a raft of measures to curb the menace.
Image: KNA
President William Ruto’s led Cabinet has endorsed the tough measures instituted by the government to fight illegal brews and narcotic drugs.
Since the government launched the crackdown, some 5,835 raids on illicit and narcotic premises have been conducted, 289,390 litres of illicit brews and 13,198 litres of counterfeit alcohol netted.
In addition, seven vessels for trafficking drugs, 3,603 rolls of bhang and 44 stones have been seized.
The development comes days after the Interior Ministry announced a raft of measures to curb the menace.
They include a 21-day suspension of all 52 licenses and permits issued to manufacturers and distillers of second-generation alcohol.
Others are the revocation of all bar licenses issued by counties against the law and an audit of conflict of interest within the ranks of enforcement agencies.
The ministry also launched a nationwide crackdown on the sale, transportation, distribution and consumption of illicit brews and narcotic drugs.
The Cabinet resolved that any public officials who resisted these measures will be violating Chapter Six of the Constitution and the laws on conflict of interest.
These include officials in the National Police Service, National Administration, Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards, public health and public prosecution, among others.
The Cabinet was informed that since the Interior Ministry started implementing these measures, 2,393 non-compliant premises, 359 pharmacies and chemists and 452 agrovets have been closed.
Noting the increased cases of addiction to alcohol and drugs, the Cabinet directed the Ministry of Health to prepare a framework for rehabilitation wards in all Level 5 hospitals.
The ministry was also directed to work closely with county governments and ensure each county has a rehabilitation center.
At the meeting, the Environment, Agriculture and Energy ministries were directed to convene an inter-ministerial committee to deal with the invasion of the Prosophis Julifora tree commonly known as 'Mathenge’.
The tree is a menace in 22 counties and has led to the loss of grazing and farming lands, biodiversity, wetlands and national parks.