The Meru County Alcoholic Drinks Control Board CEO, Dr Mbaabu Muguna, has banned the advertisement of any alcoholic drink near any learning institution.
Dr Muguna said, as per the law, nobody will ever be allowed to erect signposts or billboards related to alcoholic drinks near any learning institution in the country.
Dr Muguna declared that enticement to children through adverts placed near institutions of learning will no longer be accepted in Meru.
Speaking during an inspection in Meru town, Dr Muguna said they have intensified patrols, conducted a thorough crackdown, and manned all entry roadblocks throughout the County to ensure the paramount safety of consumers.
“From today, there will be no advertising of any business related to alcoholic drinks near any learning institutions. Not even signposts or billboards will be allowed. We will destroy them without mercy. They may move to court, but we must stand firm.
Our children should grow up without knowledge of alcohol. We have even used tape measures to know the distance between a school and bars and then close any bar selling near schools,” Dr Muguna said.
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He urged Meru residents to report any such adverts to his office. He also appealed to school alumni to give back to the community by sensitising and fighting against learners’ alcohol consumption.
He noted that they work very closely with the national government.
“We plead to unite the Welfare or Alumni associations to champion a healthy and empowered community through education, not alcoholism. We also collaborate with NACADA and national government security agencies to capture all lawbreakers,” Dr Muguna said.
He said his office would contact the county government finance office to set a budget for raising signboards indicating that alcoholic drinks are not sold near schools.
Dr Muguna said they have already arrested many people who were selling alcoholic drinks in plastic papers and plastic bottles, which is against the law.
He scoffed at leaders and bloggers, spreading rumours that the office was inconsequential.
“Since the initial start of the Board, it has countered several influxes of illicit brews that penetrated through the backdoor, killing our innocent people. This is the most effective office. My officers are never idle or settled in the office but traverse the county and apprehend anyone selling illicit alcohol,” he said.
By John Majau
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