120 liquor stores near bus terminus shut as fight against alcohol abuse intensifies in Nairobi

By Antynet Ford

One hundred and twenty liquor store outlets near bus terminus have been closed across Nairobi with 25 bar owners being arrested in Starehe sub-county.

The operation led by the chief Officer, of security and compliance, Tony Kimani, and Vice Chair of the Nairobi County Liquor Board, Judith Anyango, targeted wines and spirits joints in; Country bus station, Muthurwa bus terminus, Hakati bus station, Accra road terminus, Latema road terminus, and Old nation roundabout.

The multi-agency crackdown will involve verification of outlet licenses to ensure there are no developments or sprouting of illegal alcohol.

This comes after Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja issued a directive to the Liquor and Security and compliance departments to clamp down all wines and Spirit shops located near bus terminus in Starehe sub- County.

According to Sakaja, many of the accidents witnessed in the city are caused by drunk drivers who drink from the liquor stores located near their terminus.

“Drivers and Touts are spending most of their time in these wines and spirits that have turned into bars and drinking dens as they wait for customers. We have lost loved ones due to recklessness on our roads because of alcohol and drug abuse. We have even discovered that all these bars targeted have been operating with the required licenses.” Sakaja stated.

The crackdown operation continues when the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome pleaded with the government to allow the police to license liquor stores instead of governors.

Addressing a congregation during the Illicit Alcohol And Drug Eradication Conference held in Mombasa yesterday, the IG stated that if effected, the change will immensely contribute to curbing illicit brews in the country.

“I will request that maybe the law be changed regarding the licensing of alcohol outlets to return to the way it was in the past. Governors here will hate me but you know that the IG of this country is not a populist contest. I don’t need to be popular. This matter of governors licensing alcohol matters is a security concern. Our people are dying. When the governor is there, to tell the truth, he looks at the votes and revenue. The security aspect is being forgotten.” The IG stated.