Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at his Harambee Office, Nairobi/Photo/Courtesy
Nairobi, 18 March – Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has ordered bars to operate between 5pm and 11pm daily.
He said the government cannot allow people to spent time drinking alcohol which is harmful to their health and also detrimental to their productivity.
“Bar owners will be only licensed to operate between 5pm and 11pm daily. We cannot allow people to spent the whole day drinking at the expense of their health and livelihoods,” Gachagua said.
Last week Gachagua had ordered closure of alcohol manufacturing plants in the country for 21 days so as to pave way for them to apply afresh for license.
The second in command insists that government officials and security personnel who are aiding the illicit traders will be sacked not transferred.
“This time round there will be no transfers to be issued to the chiefs, police or county commissioners on account that they failed in their duties. Any officer who will fail to deliver as mandated will be sacked. That is the only option we can have as a government that is responsible in protecting the lives of its citizens,” Gachagua said.
A recent report also points out that Kenya ranks 5th in Africa in alcohol consumption and abuse.
The fight on alcoholism has caused disquiet among bar owners who claim that the state is undermining their businesses arguing that state should differentiate between war on illicit brews and a blanket crackdown on legitimate business of beverages like alcohol.
Effects of alcohol on health
According to National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), alcoholism is a major hindrance to the health, social and economic development of the people of Kenya.
Alcohol abuse is also linked to several life-threatening diseases including but not limited to diabetes, stomach cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer and throat cancer.
Other conditions associated with alcohol abuse includes impotence, reduced sperm count and reduced testosterone levels in men.
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