Court to give directive in case against anti-liquor campaign

Managers from leading manufacturers of alcoholic drinks address reporters at Serena Hotel in Nairobi on July 6, 2015. They faulted the government on the ongoing campaign against illicit liquor. PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The association has sued the Interior Cabinet Secretary, the Attorney-General, the Inspector-General of Police, and Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu. It seeks proper guidelines in the war against illicit liquor.
  • The association claimed that following the President’s order on July 1, rowdy gangs organised by Mr Waititu, on June 27 invaded licensed bars and other legitimate outlets stocking their products and illegally destroyed property in the anti-alcohol campaign.

The High Court will on Tuesday issue its directive in a suit in which the Association of Spirits Manufacturers of Kenya has moved to court over the destruction of property in the campaign against illicit liquor.

Justice Isaac Lenaola made this announcement in the case lodged by the manufacturers over the cancellation of licences for bars and other outlets selling liquor as well as the call to MPs to lead the war against killer brews in their constituencies, actions they say had led to wanton destruction of property.

The association has sued the Interior Cabinet Secretary, the Attorney-General, the Inspector-General of Police, and Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu. It seeks proper guidelines in the war against illicit liquor.

The association claimed that following the President’s order on July 1, rowdy gangs organised by Mr Waititu, on June 27 invaded licensed bars and other legitimate outlets stocking their products and illegally destroyed property in the anti-alcohol campaign.

Through lawyer Karugu Muguku, they claimed that violent looting and wanton destruction of property had been tolerated and supervised by law enforcement agencies as well as state officers though their members have fully complied with laws relating to the manufacturing of alcohol. Mr Muguku told the judge that the raids had resulted in massive loss of property.

“Their unlawful acts (are) breeding lawlessness and are a sure precursor to anarchy which is contrary to the law and public policy.

The court is enjoined to intervene, lend a hand in the proper administration of justice and give proper guidelines on the war against illicit liquor,” Mr Muguku said. The judge certified the matter as urgent and asked the plaintiffs to give copies of the suit documents to the sued parties before a directive is issued.

“Let’s hear what the sued parties have to say on this by tomorrow but it is urgent, just serve them as for now,” Justice Lenaola said.

According to the association, its members had participated in identifying, reporting and prosecuting manufacturers and distributors of illicit liquor carried out by unlicensed individuals or counterfeits.

They want the court to issue orders stopping the sued parties from organising gangs to incite the public into intruding into licensed property. They also want compensation.