On June 9, 2021, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) CEO Victor Okioma called on County Governments to reassess their licensing guidelines for bars and restaurants.
According to Okioma, the current guidelines do not provide sufficient information about the premises where bars operate, allowing some individuals to exploit this loophole and open multiple bars with a single license.
“The licenses do not indicate the premises and plot numbers. Some people are taking this advantage and opening 10 bars with only one license,” Okioma said.
Okioma emphasized the need for County Governments to be more vigilant about the locations where bars operate, ensuring that they meet minimum health requirements.
He also expressed concerns about the sale of illicit substances in bars, stating that Marijuana is one of the most problematic drugs in the country and should not be legalized for recreational purposes.
“Marijuana is one of the most problematic drugs in the Country currently. When you talk about licensing Marijuana recreation you lose focus. Currently Marijuana is only allowed for medical and scientific reasons” He said.
North Eastern Regional commissioner Nicodemus Ndalana assured that security teams in the region would do their best to prevent drug trafficking, but noted that most of the drugs were being sold in neighboring Somalia, raising concerns about possible involvement by Al shabaab.
