A Multisectoral operation between the Nairobi Liquor Department, Security and Compliance and the National police has led to the shutting down of a hundred and twenty (120) liquor outlets and the arrest of 25 bar owners in Starehe sub-county.
Last week Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson directed the Nairobi Liquor Department and the Security and Compliance departments to clamp down on wines and spirit joints that are located near bus stops and terminals (in Starehe sub-County) as the crackdown on abuse of alcohol in the city intensifies.
Governor Sakaja Johnson chaired a meeting last week Friday that brought together the Chairman of the Federation of Public Transport sector, Public transport operators, public transport saccos and companies operating within the jurisdiction of Nairobi City County.
“We will no longer allow and tolerate disorder in the city. Nairobi is the capital city. I have directed the removal of all wines and spirits shops located around matatu terminals and bus stops. 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,” said Governor Sakaja.
The operation led by Chief Officer, Security and Compliance, Tony Kimani and Judith Anyango, Vice Chair of the Nairobi County Liquor Board targetted wines and spirits joints in; Country bus station, Muthurwa bus terminus, Hakati bus station, Accra road terminus, Latema road terminus and Old nation roundabout.
“Preliminary data collection within Starehe sub-county established that most wines and spirits operating in the bus terminuses are unlicensed and hence operating in contravention with Nairobi City County alcoholic drinks control and licensing act of 2014. The Nairobi Liquor Department is in the process of collating data for the other outlets located in bus terminus across the other remaining subcounties for closure in the coming days. The multi-agency crackdown will involve verification of outlet licenses to ensure there are no developments or sprouting of illegal alcohol,” said Maureen Njeri, County Executive, Business and Hustler Opportunities, where Nairobi Liquor Department is domiciled.
In addition, Sakaja emphasised that the Nairobi City County Alcoholic Drinks Control and Licensing Board and the enforcement teams “have my full blessings and support to rid this city of this unbecoming behaviour where young men and women start drinking at 9.00 am and expect to function properly. That will no longer be allowed in the Nairobi that we want.
The operation team was grouped into six teams has follows;
- Country Bus Station
The number of liquor outlets closed are ten (10). Number of suspects arrested four (4) selling illicit brew and booked at Kamukunji Police Station
- Muthurwa Terminus
The numbers of liquor outlets closed are twenty (20). Number of suspects arrested nil
- Hakati Bus Station Terminus
The number of liquor outlets closed are twenty three (23). Number of suspects arrested are nine (9)
- Accra Road Terminus
The number of liquor outlets closed are twenty seven (27). Number of suspects arrested are eight (8)
- Latema Road Terminus
The number of liquor outlets closed are eighteen (18). Number of suspects arrested nil
- Old Nation Roundabout
Terminus. The numbers of liquor outlets closed are twenty two (22). Number of suspects arrested are six (6)
