Meru County Alcoholic Drinks Control Board CEO Dr Mbaabu Muguna has stated that they will not permit the opening or reopening of any bars near learning institutions.
He said they face regulatory challenges from businesspeople who open and operate bars near the schools.
Dr Muguna said they have been using the community to ensure compliance with alcohol laws among local businesses.
He spoke at Mbui Njeru Market, Central Imenti constituency, where he attended a public participation exercise after residents in the area petitioned his office to open up closed bars in the area.
He said at Mbui Njeru market, although some residents were calling for the opening of bars, he will not allow it as the market is so near to the school.
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“We will not allow bars to operate less than 300 meters near the school. Last year Interior PS Raymond Omollo ordered all bars near schools to be closed and we had to comply. Locals petitioned us asking us to come and conduct a public participation. Some wanted us to open the bars in Mbui Njeru market but others wanted them to remain closed,” Muguna said.
He said about 4 percent of deaths in the country are alcohol related and 23 percent of people who were fired in jobs were due to alcoholism.
Dr. Muguna said he will not accept bars to operate near school at the expense of education.
“Alcohol goes together with other drugs such as bhang, cigarettes, cocaine and others,” he said.
Dr. Muguna said they will not allow bars to operate in residential areas because they will disturb residents and school going children.
Dr. Ester Rukunga county executive in charge of education said they will not accept bars to operate less than 300 meters from the school in either primary, secondary and technical schools.
“Education is more important than people who are going to take alcohol. We cannot accept our children to be sold alcohol. You can see there is a path between the school and the bar, clear evidence that students are sneaking and coming to buy alcohol,” Rukunga said.
He urged youths to enroll in education in vocation training centers instead of resulting to alcoholism.
By John Majau.
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