Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has lauded Members of the County Assembly of Nyandarua County following their efforts to end the consumption of illicit liquor and drug abuse in the county.
The MCAs have enacted the new Nyandarua County Alcoholic Drinks Act, 2023, which aims to end the uptake of illicit liquor in the county.
Gachagua spoke after meeting the MCAs at his Karen residence, where he also met Nyandarua Governor Badilisha Kiarie.
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"We must win the fight against illicit brews, drugs, and substance abuse to save our generation. And for this war to succeed and be sustained, there must be proper legal frameworks. This morning, at the Official Residence in Karen, I had an engagement with Members of the County Assembly of Nyandarua, who shared the new Nyandarua County Alcoholic Drinks Act, 2023 they have enacted to provide structural support to ending illicit brew in the devolved unit," Gachagua stated.
"Alongside Governor Badilisha Kiarie, who has assented the Bill into law, the leaders have displayed immense courage and determination in true service to the people by enacting a people-centred legal framework regulating manufacturing, distribution and sale of alcohol."
Gachagua's urge
Gachagua encouraged MCAs to enact similar laws in the region and across the country in order "to save our youth from imminent destruction" from drugs.
"The new law is an outcome of the collective efforts between the national and county leadership. We look forward to intensifying these efforts for the enactment of similar laws in the region and across the country," he added.
The new law stipulates that every sub-county will have an Alcoholic Drinks Regulation Committee which will vet applications for liquor sellers, subsequently filing a quarterly report to the County Alcoholic Drinks Regulation and Management Committee.
The law also bars anyone from producing, manufacturing and selling alcohol in the county without a valid licence, contrary to which offenders could be fined Ksh30,000 or jailed for a term not exceeding four months.
Supermarkets, chain retailers and restaurants will not be granted licences to sell alcohol. Licences will not also be granted to off-licence retail outlets commonly referred to as wines & spirits.
