President William Ruto now wants the Kenya Revenue Authority to stop giving licences to individuals and entities who import illicit alcohol into the country.
Speaking in Kericho on Thursday, Ruto said that they have agreed as a government they will deal with the issue of illicit alcohol decisively.
The President said the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) should take the lead role in the fight against illicit alcohol.
He directed the authority not to issue licences to anyone importing alcohol into the country.
Ruto said imported alcohol and spirits have destroyed many young people in Kenya and this must be stopped immediately.
The President insisted that a sober country is needed to develop the country.
"Mambo ya pombe tumekubaliana Kenya hii tutazima. Watu wa KRA wawe mstari wa mbele. Hakuna leseni inatolewa kwa mtu ama watu wanaimport alcohol ama wanaleta mambo ya spirit ambayo inaharibu watoto wetu katika Kenya. Tumesema hio mambo ikome. We need a sober nation so that we can take our development to the next level," Ruto said.
This loosely translates to, "We have agreed on the issue of alcohol, in Kenya we will finish. KRA people should be on the front line. Don't give licenses to anyone or people who import alcohol or bring spirits, which destroy our children in Kenya. We have said that this must stop."
The Head of state added that they will not watch as the country loses a whole generation to drugs and alcoholism.
The Head of State noted that no one will die because of consuming alcohol. He also said that should anyone get sick because of not taking alcohol, he will be taken to hospital and will be offered treatment for free.
"Hakuna mtu atakufa kwa kukosa kunywa pombe na kama kuna mtu atakuwa mgonjwa tutapeleka hospitali for free," he said.
His remarks come a day after the Cabinet adopted the 25-point approach to bring to an end alcohol and drug abuse in the country.
The approach formulated by the Ministry of Interior was announced last week.
It followed the death of about 20 people in Kirinyaga after they consumed alleged illicit alcohol in the area as others were hospitalised for the same.
