NAIROBI, Kenya, March 6- The Government has ordered public officers currently owning and operating bars to shut them down or resign.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said such actions go against the Public Ethics Act.
He explained that the Public Service Commission (PSC), the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) and other relevant agencies will examine staff records to ensure compliance.
“Further, and in line with the Public Ethics Act, all public officers in the enforcement/compliance chain (KRA, KEBS, ACA, Public Health, NACADA, NGAO, NPS) shall not own and operate a bar directly or via proxy,” he said.
Kindiki also indicated that under Penal Code Section 20(c), landlords and property owners who lease space for the construction of bars or wine and spirits stores in prohibited locations will be held accountable
Additionally, he stated that vehicles or buildings used in storage, manufacturing trafficking of illegal drugs, illicit brews and alcohol shall be seized and deemed to be government property in pursuant to section 74 of the Narcotic Drugs and Pyschotropic Substances Control Act.
Kindiki directed the Ministries of Interior and Health to put in place measures for branding and color specification of all alcoholic and tobacco distribution vehicles.
“Further such products are to be transported between the hours of 6am and 6pm only. The guidelines to be issued within 14 days from this directive, with manufacturers expected to secure full implementation within 45 days,” Kindiki said.
The CS also directed all unlicensed and non compliant drug manufacturers, agrovets and chemists to be shut down with immediate effect.
“In this regard, all chemists and agrovets shall submit their licenses to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board and Veterinary Medicines Directorate for verification within 30 days, failure to which they shall be deemed unlicensed for closure.”
He said the list of currently approved and licensed establishments have already been shared with county security teams for reference.
“All licensed pharmacists and veterinary doctors dispensing prescriptions drugs without prescription shall be de registered. All licensed chemists/pharmacy’s and agrovets when issuing prescriptions drugs shall mandatorily issue a certification of the issuing chemist/agrovets, name and license number of the issuing officer for purposes of tracing,” he said.