10 arrested, bars closed after Nacada, Kebs crackdown
A government official inspects drinks at a bar in Miritini, Mombasa County, on March 10, 2018. The biggest lesson we’ve learnt from unpredictable rise of excise tax on mainstream alcohol and spirits is that every rise leads to a corresponding drop in accounted consumption, especially at the bottom of the pyramid where prices are sensitive. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The agencies inspected drinks and checked for compliance with health and VAT compliance.
- They also checked whether the bars complied with the regulation on the hours they can open.
At least 10 people were arrested and five bars closed in Mombasa in a joint crackdown by various agencies.
Some proprietors were arrested for not having licences to operate the businesses, while some of the premises did not comply with health and Kenya Revenue Authority requirements.
COMPLIANCE
Some bars were closed for being close to learning institutions.
The joint operation was carried out by National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada), Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Anti-Counterfeit Agency, police and public health officials.
Ms Judith Twala, the regulatory services manager at Nacada, said the agencies want to ensure compliance with all regulations.
She added that the team also wants to find out if the bars open and close within the prescribed times.
Ms Twala said Kebs was charged with looking at sampling, labelling and stamps of certification, while KRA checked for VAT compliance.
The public health officers looked at sanitation, food hygiene and handling, and certification of the hotels, bars and restaurants’ workers.
