Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced a fresh crackdown targeting manufacturers and dealers of illicit alcohol, with the government set to intensify inspections of premises and move against traders selling poisonous substances as alcoholic drinks.
Prof Kindiki said the government would not allow traders to hide behind the sale of alcohol while distributing products that are harmful to consumers, warning that those involved in the trade would be pursued.
“There are people who are selling counterfeit alcohol that is destroying the young people. I want to tell you that we will not allow anyone to sell alcohol, yet they are selling poison to our people. We will not allow it. Your days are numbered if you are selling counterfeit alcohol,” he said.
During the crackdown, manufacturers of alcoholic drinks would undergo fresh inspections to ensure their premises meet quality and public health standards before their products are allowed into the market.
Alcoholic drinks
“We will inspect all alcohol manufacturers. Those manufacturing alcoholic drinks will have their premises inspected afresh to ensure that they comply with quality and public health standards before their products enter the market,” he said.
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He attributed the crackdown to deaths associated with illicit alcohol in Kiambu and Kirinyaga, and raised concerns over the health effects of poisonous substances being sold to young people.
“The other day, we lost people here in Kiambu. Recently, we also lost people in Kirinyaga. Those selling dangerous alcohol in the name of gathuri ngui and mutura, your days are numbered.”
He was speaking in Limuru, Kiambu County, on Friday while flagging off milk coolers for dairy farmers’ cooperatives, where he also addressed a public sensitisation meeting.
The Government distributed 227 milk coolers across the country, with nine being delivered to different parts of Kiambu County, including Kikuyu, Limuru Dairy, Gatundu North, Kiambaa and Githunguri.
The equipment is intended to help farmers preserve milk and reduce losses while improving their earnings.
“When we were seeking votes, the President said that the government would do everything possible to increase the income of farmers,” he said.
“That means ensuring that farmers produce milk that does not go to waste, that it reaches the dairy so that they can be paid, and that once it gets to the dairy, it is properly preserved before being distributed to the market.”
Distributing milk coolers
He also announced that the Government was planning another round of distributing milk coolers from February after farmers raised concerns that the current equipment was not sufficient.
“I have listened to the farmers, and they have said that although the coolers we have provided are good, they need more,” he said.
“I therefore want to announce on behalf of the Government that after this round of distributing coolers, from February we are going to have another round of distributing milk coolers to parts of Kenya where dairy farmers need support.”
He also cited increased milk production and government support to the dairy sector as part of measures aimed at raising farmers’ incomes. Due to the interventions, milk production increased from 4.6 billion litres to 5.3 billion litres last year, while the Government has supported Limuru Dairy with milk-processing equipment worth Sh170 million.
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He said the Government had also reduced the price of cattle semen from Sh8,000 to Sh1,400 per dose, making artificial insemination more affordable for farmers.
Prof Kindiki said the price paid to farmers for milk had risen from between Sh33 and Sh35 per litre to Sh50, while fertiliser prices had fallen from Sh7,000 per bag in 2022 to Sh2,500 over the past three years and now Sh2,000.
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