Meru County Alcoholic Drinks Control Board CEO Mbaabu Muguna has said raised the alarm over resurgence of illicit brews.
He said that while the vice had declined during the nationwide fight against illicit brews, the brewers were getting back into business.
Muguna said they have challenges especially in Tigania where people are doing the traditional illicit brews and selling it in bars.
The board, he said, is also working with a multi-agency team like KRA, KEBS, NACADA, police, DCI and national government officers in order to fight counterfeits.
“The illicit brews are causing a major uproar and have even led to demonstrations. We have arrested several people and they have been arraigned in court,” Muguna said.
He said they will not hesitate to deal with unscrupulous traders who use bars as conduits to sell illicit brews.
Muguna, said they have closed 240 bars from January to September this year.
“We have received a lot of memorandums from members of public about rogue bars. We have closed a number of bars and in the month of September alone we have closed about 7 bars from different parts of Meru County,” Muguna said.
Muguna said some of the bars they closed are in residential areas where drunkards are sharing toilets with school going children which is unacceptable.
Muguna said they conduct thorough inspections before giving out licenses to operate bars.
He said some bars are operating without licenses especially in Nyambene. Muguna said they have also found some bars selling expired alcoholic beverages to clients.
On rehabilitation, he said they have constructed 100 bed capacity rehab in Kiirua which is 95 percent complete and it will be operation early next year.
“Addiction is a disease because the addicts become a slaves to alcohol. Employers should not sacking addicts but they should assist them to recover and regain productivity,” Muguna said.
He said in Meru they have six rehabilitation centers to help deal with alcohol addiction.
