President William Ruto has directed the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to stop issuing licenses to individuals importing illicit alcohol to the country.
Speaking on Thursday, February 14 in Kericho, Ruto said KRA should take the leading role in the fight against illicit alcohol in Kenya.
The Head of State noted that there is a need for a sober country in order to take development to the next level.
"We have agreed to finish the issue of alcohol in Kenya. I want to tell the people of KRA to be at the forefront. No licenses should be issued to anyone who imports alcohol or brings spirits that harm our children in Kenya. We have said that this issue must stop so that we can have a better nation. We need a nation that is sober so that we can take development to the next level,” Ruto directed.
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The President also said the government will not allow illicit alcohol and drug substances to affect Kenyans.
"Wherever someone is found producing illicit alcohol, it's not just that we will shut them down, we will demolish that place and destroy all the equipment they use to harm our youth,” Ruto added.
His directive comes a day after the cabinet ratified the 25-point enforcement measures issued by Interior CS Kithure Kindiki aimed at addressing access and consumption of killer brews, narcotic drugs, and psychotropic substances.
The measures include the twenty-one-day suspension of all 52 licenses and permits issued by KRA and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to manufacturers and distillers of second-generation alcohol in the country.
