Government against licensing of night clubs in Central Kenya.

Central Regional Commissioner (RC) Wilson Njega setting ablaze about 50 illegal betting machines in Githingiri area of Murang'a County.

The national government will liaise with counties to regulate bars and ensure that no liquor outlet operates beyond the stipulated time in central Kenya region.

This was revealed by the Central Regional Commissioner (RC) Wilson Njega who said that his administration will talk to all governors from the region with a view to regulate the intake of alcohol in line with the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act of 2010 (Mututho Law).

Speaking on Thursday at Githingiri area, Murang’a County during an exercise to destroy illegal gambling machines and illicit brews from both Murang’a and Kiambu Counties, the RC observed that the 24-hour sale of alcohol rendered the people unproductive and contributed a lot to insecurity in the region

“I am talking to county governments to ensure that all liquor outlets open at 5pm and close at 11pm. No bar or night club will be allowed to sell alcohol outside the stipulated time so as to allow our people to have enough time to do some productive work,” said Njega.

He added that his administration will not relent on the fight against illicit brews and illegal betting machines, warning of very stiff action against chiefs and their assistants whose areas of jurisdiction will condone these vices.

“We cannot allow some unscrupulous businessmen to destroy the lives of our people will poisonous brews and these illegal betting machines. We will therefore hold to account any chief or their assistants whose area will condone these vices especially after the end of this month. We must eradicate this menace once and for all,” he warned.

The RC leading in an exercise to destroy illegal brews.

In the same vein, Njega warned that they were in hot pursuit of traders that were stocking contraband sugar and other commodities that had illegally gained access into the country, saying that their days were numbered.

The RC directed Murang’a County Commissioner John Elungata to prepare a proposal for a police station in Githingiri area as the area so as to enhance security in the area that he noted was so vast. He promised to follow up a request by the residents for more vehicles so as to ease police mobility and fight armed highway robberies that were rampant along the Nyeri-Nairobi highway.

During the exercise, over 1000 litres of chang’aa, illicit brews and expired alcoholic drinks were destroyed. The RC also officiated the destruction of boilers, molasses and the torching of about 50 illegal betting machines.

Present were the Kiambu County Commissioner Wilson Wanyanga, heads of security agencies from both counties, chiefs and their assistants.