MURANG’A, Kenya – Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has issued a fresh directive targeting the sale and distribution of illicit alcohol, calling on county administrators to hold perpetrators accountable and warning that inaction will not be tolerated.
Speaking during a public forum in Murang’a, Kindiki urged county commissioners to take immediate action against individuals involved in the sale of illegal brews, describing the trade as a major threat to the country’s youth and community development.
“Our young people are losing themselves because of consuming illicit brews,” said Kindiki. “It is one of the biggest causes of stagnation among the youth and our society as a whole.”
He also proposed legislative reform to curb the proliferation of alcohol outlets, noting that the number of bars and clubs in some areas had surpassed that of schools and churches.
“A new law should be enforced towards the access of licenses because nowadays clubs and places selling alcohol have become more than even churches and schools in our community,” he said.
His remarks come amid growing concern in Mt. Kenya and parts of Eastern Kenya over the resurgence of illegal brews.
In Meru, authorities recently seized over 6,000 litres of chang’aa and brewing materials during a county-wide crackdown.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen echoed the warning, speaking days earlier during a church service in Makutano, Meru County.
Murkomen singled out chiefs and assistant chiefs for scrutiny, saying it was impossible for illicit brews to thrive in villages without their knowledge.
“The reason the government has the chief and assistant chief is so they can monitor households,” Murkomen said. “Illicit brews cannot be sold in any village without their awareness—and we will no longer tolerate this kind of negligence.”
He stressed that local administrators have a duty that goes beyond drawing a salary, reminding them that they are entrusted with the safety and well-being of their communities.
The government has pledged to intensify enforcement efforts and revisit licensing frameworks, as part of a broader strategy to combat the illicit alcohol trade, which has long been blamed for health risks, domestic violence, and social instability.
