The government has so far shut down 18,650 liquor joints in the ongoing national crackdown on illicit brew, drugs and substance abuse.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki on Monday announced that also 14 distilleries manufacturing toxic killer brew have been closed and their production infrastructure destroyed.
"12,150 premises which were operating across the 47 counties without licenses and 6,500 others which were licensed contrary to National Law on proximity to learning institutions have been shut," he said.
The CS was speaking in Homa Bay County where he commended the County Security and Intelligence Committee (CSIC) on a commendable job in the fight against illicit alcohol, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances contributing significantly to the National efforts.
Kindiki also held a meeting with the Homabay CSIC .
He stated that new laws in the fight against illicit drugs will be submitted to Parliament next month.
"New stringent laws to combat illicit drugs and substance abuse will be submitted to Parliament next month," the CS added.
On Saturday, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua reiterated that the government will not relent in the ongoing nationwide fight against illicit liquor manufacturers.
Gachagua urged the multi-agency security team to tighten the war on drugs and substance abuse.
"The government will continue enforcing the stringent measures announced recently by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to ensure that illicit brews get off the market," the DP said in Meru.
He said those selling legitimate liquor will not be affected, emphasizing that the target is traders who have been selling poisonous alcohol.
"President, CS Kindiki and I have resolved that we can't allow the lives of our youths to be destroyed by illicit brew. We have deployed stringent measures to save the generation. Those selling legit alcoholic drinks will not be affected," Gachagua said.
Early this month, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki ordered the immediate closure of bars and clubs within the residential estates and learning institution.
"Any licences currently issued to bars and other outlets and premises by county governments that are contrary to the provisions of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, especially as relates to licencing of premises within residential areas and around basic educational institutions are null and void. County Security Teams are to secure shut down and seizure of such premises with immediate effect," he said.
As part of the measures, no bars or liquor-selling establishments would be allowed to operate beyond the set, operating hours.
CS 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.
