Manufacturers' request for suspension of the directive to stop measures issued last week has been rejected.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday affirmed that the 21-day suspension will go on, and the eradication operation will proceed uninterrupted.
"The measures announced by the Government last week on eradication of illicit liquor and narcotic drugs are irreversible and non-negotiable," he said.
The CS was speaking during a meeting with alcohol manufacturers at GSU Training School, Nairobi.
The Interior boss highlighted that the peddlers of drugs and toxic liquor are destroying Kenya and the government considers this challenge a national security threat.
"The uptake of harmful alcoholic drinks that are not up to standards and narcotic drugs is a serious national problem. Losing 20 people in one village to poisonous alcoholic drinks is equivalent to a terror attack.," he said.
Manufacturers in the Caucus attempted to push the Government to set aside last week's directives, claiming their businesses were being hurt, the country was losing revenue.
At least 18 manufacturers even claimed they account for 30% of the excise duty collected by KRA every year.
But Kindiki maintained that the Government was ready to lose revenue and protect citizens, especially the youth, from consumption of illicit alcohol.
" The government is willing to along certain revenue and tax measures if it will help in correcting the mess in the sector," he said.
The Interior boss emphasized that the manufacture, sale and consumption of poisonous alcoholic products, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is no longer just a social, political, economic and health problem, but an existential threat to National Security and the future of our generations.
"We have made good process and it is not our wish to destroy any business but we don't want to bring back any reason to stop this exercise," he said.
The government through the Ministry of Interior and National Administration last week announced 25 measures to curb illicit brew, drug, and substance abuse in the country.
As part of the measures, the government suspended licences for all manufacturers of second-generation alcohol.
They will have to apply afresh for the license and all existing valid licences will be vetted afresh within 21 days.
CS Kindiki also ordered the immediate closure of bars and clubs within the residential estates and learning institutions.
In addition to that, the CS also announced that landlords who rent out spaces for such establishments shall also be held accountable.
"All landlords or premise owners shall be deemed aiders and abetters thereof and be held liable for renting out space for the establishment of bars/ wines and spirits outlets in prohibited areas pursuant to section 20(c) of the Penal Code," Kindiki 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.
