By Reporter
In a bid to curb the increased rate of drugs and substances in Taita Taveta county several bars, chemists, agro -vet outlets and non-compliant businesses have been closed down following a crackdown by security agencies.
Multi-agency operation kicked off where several liquor outlets in the county were shut following a directive issued by Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Prof. Kithure Kindiki on the sale of alcoholic drinks.
According to Taita Taveta County Commissioner Josephine Onunga who led the operation, the exercise targets bars, businesses, chemists, and agro-vets operating without licenses.
Also those that will be found running beyond the stipulated hours.
“In Taita Taveta County, we have challenges of drugs and substances abuse. We have the illicit brews, chang’aa, mbangara, and the second generation brews that are common especially at centres along the highway,” said Onunga,
She said that over 200 people dealing in illicit brew have been arrested so far stating that since the raid started.
Onunga said that they have been able to get illegal local brews including 1,000 litres of pasha, 2,500 litres of kangara, 5,000 litres of mbangara and 200 litres of chang’aa.
Already she said six non-compliant bars, five chemists, and 3 agro-vets that were operating against the NACADA rules on drugs and substance uses have been closed down.
The Commissioner warned those operating drug businesses to ensure that they are legalized, licensed, and authorized to sell the drugs.
“Anybody selling alcohol or liquor must ensure that they are dully vetted and authorized to conduct the business and they must sell liquor that is safe and fit for human consumption,” she said.
Alcoholism she said has led to increased rape cases amongst the young people, increased school dropouts, divorce amongst the married people, and splitting families; causing high rates of street children and posing a threat to the development of the nation.
Bars operating within residential areas and those near learning institutions, she warned that there are operating against the law and earmarked for closure.
She said the security teams has mapped out the illicit brew hotspots across the county and were on toes to ensure the situation is contained.
Voi and Mwatate Sub-counties have been mapped out as areas with high rate of illicit brews consumption.
In Voi Sub-county, Tanzania, Maweni, and Kasarani have been termed as the thorns in the flesh in the fight against the menace and have been mapped out as hotspots on drugs and substances abuse following the cosmopolitan nature of Voi town.
“Whoever is in the business of alcohol and is legit and is selling alcohol must follow laws and regulations to the letter. Whoever is doing pharmacy work must only dispense what is prescribed legally and by a legal person who is authorized,” she noted.
The County Police Commander Sadiq William noted that their work is to enforce whatever is legalized, adding that if it’s not legalized, they will never allow them to operate.
He noted that if any liquor outlet was found selling alcohol in contravention of the law, their licenses would be revoked and the perpetrators taken to court.
