Over 10 alcohol dealers arrested in crackdown

Some of the drinks seized during a joint operation by Nacada and other governments agencies on illegal liquor businesses in Voi town on May 21, 2018. PHOTO | LUCY MKANYIKA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Nacada's Henry Thaithi said they they closed down three liquor selling outlets in Taveta for failing to meet the minimum requirements for licensing and health standards.

  • He said the team was focusing on the security of the premises, public health standards, validity of the business license, product standardisation stickers and KRA excise stamps.

  • Some of the outlets which are owned by police officers and their allies are said to have received a tip-off on the planned operation and remained closed to escape the crackdown.

More than 10 liquor dealers were on Monday arrested in Taita-Taveta County in a crackdown over non-compliance of government regulations.

The multi-agency operation involved the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Department of Public Health, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs), and the police.

Most of the dealers arrested had flouted liquor and health requirements.

TAVETA-HOLILI

Speaking to journalists during the operation in Voi, an officer from Nacada, Henry Thaithi,  said they had also closed down three liquor selling outlets in Taveta for failing to meet the minimum requirements for licensing and health standards.

Mr Thaithi said the operation is aimed at fighting the sale of illegal liquor in the country.

He said alcohol from Tanzania was being ferried into the country through the porous Taveta-Holili border.

He said scrupulous traders are making the government lose revenue smuggling drinks to the country.

HEALTH RISK

He said the officers were also targeting illegal businesses in the county.

Mr Thaithi said the team was focusing on the security of the premises, public health standards, validity of the business license, product standardisation stickers and KRA excise stamps.

“We have realised that some of these liquors do not have standardisation stickers as required by law. This means that the drinks might be a health risk to consumers,” he said.

The team raided entertainment establishments and wholesale liquor businesses in Voi town where they netted drinks which lacked valid Kebs permits.

“Some bore fake KRA codes, while others were selling expired drinks,” he said.

KEBS STICKERS

He said unscrupulous businesses are exposing consumers to unsafe alcoholic drinks endangering their lives.

“We urge the residents to report illegal alcohol sellers to us. They should also check whether the drinks are safe for consumption by verifying the Kebs stickers,” he said.

Those arrested will be arraigned before Voi and Taveta Law Courts.

A spot check by the Nation in Voi revealed that some outlets selling cheap and low quality liquor remained closed during the operation.

RRI

Some of the outlets which are owned by police officers and their allies are said to have received a tip-off on the planned operation and remained closed to escape the crackdown.

Mr Thaithi said the crackdown was being implemented under the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) which was launched in March this year by Nacada.

The officers targets border counties such as Busia, Turkana, Mandera, Pokot, Taita Taveta, Migori, and Bungoma.

“The exercise will continue and those who will be found culpable will be arrested and taken to court,” he said.