An operation against the illegal manufacture, sale and distribution of illicit alcohol in Belgut has resulted in the closure of 20 bars and 2 pharmacies.
Belgut Deputy County Commissioner Michael Ololtuaa reported that the operation will continue until they can guarantee the safety of alcoholic products being distributed in the area.
The operation which happened on Sunday night has seen the closure of 20 bars and the arrest of more than 20 suspects, Ololtuaa said.
Ololtuaa cautioned those running unlicensed alcohol businesses in Belgut, Kericho county saying that the authorities will not allow the distribution of the products.
He further revealed that apart from the bars, they had uncovered 2 pharmacies that were being illegally operated at Kapsoit and shut them down in the process.
The operation is part of the nationwide crackdown rolled out by Interior CS Kithure Kindiki last week.
The nationwide crackdown was initiated by the government to combat the manufacture, sale, consumption and abuse of illicit alcohol and narcotic drugs after several people were reported dead in Kirinyaga county for consuming alleged illicit liquor.
“Unlike past operations that were hampered by competing political and commercial interests, the ongoing exercise is a security operation to tackle a national threat and devoid of politics,’’ Kindiki said.
“Like the fight against terrorism, banditry and organised crime, the crackdown on manufacturers, distributors and traders involved in the illicit liquor and narcotic drugs enterprise is a security operation that will be undertaken without any politicisation or vested business interests."
He cautioned security officers aiding or abetting the distribution and consumption of toxic substances leading to loss of lives and injury will not be transferred to other jurisdictions and will be fired.
According to Kindiki, the use of illicit brew, drugs and substance abuse majorly among teenagers, the youth and even the elderly, is now not only a grave social concern but also a threat to the well-being and sustainable future of the country.
The CS said that saving the country's current and future generations is at the heart of the nationwide operation to crack down on merchants of death involved in the illicit alcohol and narcotic drugs business.
