Several bars, chemists, agrovets and non-compliant businesses in Taita Taveta County have been closed down following a crackdown by security agencies aiming to curb the increased drugs and substances abuse in the region.
The operation that saw several liquor outlets in the Ccunty shut down was led by Taita Taveta County Commissioner Josephine Onunga. The operation targets non-compliant bars, businesses, chemists and agrovets that were operating without licenses and running beyond the stipulated hours.
This followed a directive issued by Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Prof. Kithure Kindiki on the sale of alcoholic drinks.
Speaking on Monday March 10, during a press briefing at the County Commissioner’s office in Mwatate after a meeting convened to review the performance on the national fight against illicit brews, drugs and substances abuse with security teams from across the four Sub-counties of Mwatate, Wundanyi, Taveta and Voi, Onunga said they have carried out several raids that have seen a number of non-compliant outlets closed stating that the perpetrators were taken to court and jailed as other cases are still ongoing in court.
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“In Taita Taveta County we have challenges of drugs and substances abuse. We have the illicit brews, the local mbangaras, chang’a and the second generation brews that are common especially in centres along the highway,” said Onunga adding that there are also challenges that others are also witnessing especially with drugs when it comes to over the counter prescriptions from unauthorized outlets like chemists, agrovets and business which are not licensed terming them as a threat.
According to her, since the raid started, they have seized different types of illegal local brews including 1,000 litres of pasha, 2,500 litres of kangara, 5,000 litres of mbangara and chang’a of volume, adding that over 200 people dealing with illicit brew have been arrested.
“Anybody selling alcohol must ensure that they are dully vetted and authorised to conduct those sells and they must sell liquor that is safe and fit for human consumption,” she said.
“We are fully supporting what the National Government is doing to end impunity in this sector to save our people, our youth and to save the economies of our counties as well as save our communities from poverty,” added Onunga.
Onunga stated that alcoholism has led to increased cases of rape divorce, school dropouts among others.
Voi and Mwatate Sub-counties have been mapped out as areas where illicit brews are consumed at high rates.
In Voi Sub-county, Tanzania, Maweni and Kasarani have been termed as the thorn in the flesh in the fight against the menace.
“Voi being a cosmopolitan place and situated on the highway, is our biggest challenge in this fight against illicit brews, drugs and substances abuse. We are enhancing our activities and we will weed out this behaviour,” she said.
On his part, Sadiq William, the County Police Commander that any liquor outlet found selling alcohol in contravention of the law, their licenses will be revoked and the perpetrators taken to court.
By Michael Oduor/ oduormichael2021@gmail.com
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