Kindiki vows crackdown on illicit alcohol sellers

By Lawrence Ongaro

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has issued a stern warning to sellers of harmful alcoholic drinks, declaring that they will be arrested and held accountable for putting the lives of Kenyans at risk.

The Deputy President said the fight against harmful drinks had been intensified and no one would be spared in efforts to ensure that no Kenyan is exposed to poison in the name of liquor.

“I am warning those selling harmful drinks that their days are numbered. We will come for you. I assure you that we will not allow anyone to sell poisonous drinks in the name of alcohol to our people,” the DP said.

Prof Kindiki spoke on Friday, October 2, in Limuru Constituency, Kiambu County, where he flagged off milk coolers for various dairy cooperative societies in the county.

The Deputy President, who previously served as Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary and oversaw operations against terrorists in Lamu and bandits in northern Kenya, said merchants of poisonous drinks would face a similar fate.

“Some do not even have premises. They just mix chemicals and sell to Kenyans. We are coming for you. We have fought Al-Shabaab and bandits; we cannot be defeated by illicit alcohol traders,” he declared.

Inspections of manufacturers

During the event held at the Limuru Milk Processing Plant grounds, Prof Kindiki saw off nine coolers destined for various processing societies in the county.

He said orders had already been issued for the inspection of manufacturing premises to ensure they complied with required standards.

“We are going to inspect all the alcoholic manufacturers’ premises to ensure that they are in compliance with quality and public health standards before they take their products to the market,” the DP stated.

Limuru Milk Processing Plant. Photo/Courtesy

Further, the Deputy President promised to be at the forefront of the war against harmful substances in the region and across the country, in honour of requests made to him by Mt Kenya elders.

“We lost our people recently here in Kiambu and previously in Kirinyaga. We will not allow anyone to threaten the lives of Kenyans through the sale of harmful drinks,” he affirmed.

The milk coolers are among 227 that have so far been distributed to farmers across the country to reduce wastage and aid processing and value addition, thereby increasing farmers’ incomes.

Of these, Kiambu has received 13 coolers, which were bought at a cost of Sh98.14 million. More than 21,500 dairy farmers will benefit, while 15.7 million litres of milk are expected to be saved from wastage annually, earning farmers Sh769 million that could otherwise have been lost.

“The best way to increase earnings for milk farmers is to ensure there are no losses from waste. This was among our commitments to milk farmers during our campaigns before the last elections,” he added.

Kindiki calls for political unity

The DP said interventions in the milk sub-sector had helped increase production significantly, pushing Kenya to the top of Africa’s processed milk market.

“We are committed to meeting our bargain with the milk farmers. That is why milk production has gone up significantly. Today, Kenya is the largest producer of processed milk in Africa,” DP noted.

At the same time, he urged Mt Kenya residents not to heed attempts to incite them against each other because of political choices.

He said he would follow the advice of the region’s elders to remain above insults and incitement, assuring residents that he would focus on his duties and service to them.

“We must be united. Incitement and violence is not politics. It is criminal and unacceptable. We should not accept to fight each other because of politics. This is not justifiable for whatever reason. We will not allow our communities to attack one another because of political personalities,” DP reiterated.

In Kiambu, the Deputy President said affordable housing and other development projects worth Sh52 billion were ongoing, including 29 modern markets, dozens of housing projects and hostels.

A number of roads have been completed, while others are ongoing, with the planned expansion of the Muthaiga Roundabout to Kiambu Town being finalised.

DP was joined by MPs Chege Kiragu (Limuru), Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika Town), Mburu Kahangara (Lari), Anne Wamuratha (Kiambu Woman Representative), Njuguna Kawanjiku (Kiambaa), MCAs and others. Livestock Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke was also present.