Central Kenya leaders to meet Interior CS Nkaissery over return of killer brews

Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri. He has said that leaders from Central Kenya will Monday meet with Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery to discuss the return of illicit brews in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the President's visit to Nyeri. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  ESTHER MWANGI

What you need to know:

  • Mr Kiunjuri said that the return of illicit brews has raised concerns among the country’s top leadership and that the matter needed to be resolved.
  • Newly elected Knut executive secretary Mutahi Kahiga said that teachers had been left alone to battle with the effects of alcoholism.
  • Mr Kiunjuri also issued a warning to business people who have the tendency of engaging the government in court battles over the licensing.
  • He said the President’s directive had to be followed to the letter.

Central Kenya leaders are set to meet with the Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery on Monday to discuss the return of illicit brews in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the presidential visit to Nyeri, Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri has said.

Speaking during the annual general meeting of the New Fortis Sacco in Nyeri Town, Mr Kiunjuri said that the return of illicit brews has raised concerns among the country’s top leadership and that the matter needed to be resolved.

“The president is concerned about the increase in (the) consumption of illicit brews. It is very shameful for us as Mt Kenya region and this will not be allowed,” said Mr Kiunjuri.

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“It is a cancer that must be cured and a monster that must be slayed. There are no two ways about it,” he added.

Newly elected Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) executive secretary Mutahi Kahiga said that teachers had been left alone to battle with the effects of alcoholism.

EDUCATION ADVERSELY AFFECTED

Mr Mutahi said that the return of illicit brews had contributed to the deteriorating standards of education in Nyeri.

In July 2015, President Kenyatta deployed the General Service Unit (GSU) to help in the fight against illicit brews in the Mt Kenya region.

During a meeting at Statehouse with MPs and county commissioners drawn from Nyeri, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Murang’a and Nairobi, the President told the legislators to lead in closing down all bars suspected of selling illegal brews.

On Saturday, Mr Kiunjuri also said that the President’s directive had to be followed to the letter.

Mr Kiunjuri also issued a warning to business people who have the tendency of engaging the government in court battles over the licensing.

“Investors be assured that because you have billions of money you will not be allowed to engage the government in court battles. We are not going to formulate new rules, we will implement the existing ones, the law has to be followed,” he said.

“The President, his deputy and Kiunjuri do not need votes from drunkards,” said the devolution CS.

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