Governor Kabogo cancels wines and spirits shops licences in Kiambu

Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has cancelled the licences of all wines-and-spirits shops in the county in a move to curb alcoholism.

The move comes days after Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu raided bars, claiming he was fighting alcoholism, an action that has not gone down well in the area.

Mr Kabogo warned that anyone found operating the shops will be prosecuted.

“I urge all corners to kindly support the government in the fight against the illicit brew,” he said when he disbursed investment funds to youth in Kiambu County on Wednesday.

The Kiambu Biashara Fund is aimed at providing capital to youth enterprises.

Mr Waititu, who accompanied the youth, raided bars mainly at the Wangige and Gikuni shopping centres.

The youth are said to have raided even licensed bars and destroyed alcohol and electronic equipment while helping themselves to the same liquor.

According to Mr Waititu, alcohol is causing a lot of problems in the county. The MP said his actions were prompted by women who held demonstrations against alcoholism in the county last weekend.

Mr Waititu was criticised over the raids, with Kiambu County Bar Owners Association chairman Joseph Kagiri saying it was uncalled for.

“We all agree alcoholism is a big problem, but you don’t raid licensed bars and destroy stock and, even worse, steal the same alcohol. We don’t sell illicit brews in our bars, (and) therefore the raids were uncalled for,” he said.