Why Nkaissery has ordered closure of 115 spirits manufacturing firms in Kenya

Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery has ordered for the closure of 115 spirits manufacturing firms for failing to meet set standards and recommended withdrawal of their operating licenses.   In a press statement Nkaissery said the move is in line with the President’s directive on a crackdown on illegal brews in the country spearheaded by his ministry and political leaders.

“On 10th July 2015 I constituted and gazetted an inter-agency taskforce on control of potable spirits and combat of illicit brews vide Gazette notice No.5069.” The taskforce comprises of relevant officers from county governments and the national government. Among its terms of reference was to undertake inspection on all firms manufacturing alcoholic beverages.

21 manufacturing firms were found to have complied with most of the statutory requirements, 115 were recommended to close down their operations for failing to meet the requirements while 41 were not traced in the registered locations. The taskforce recommended that spirits manufacturing firms located in residential areas and/or at least 300m from any nursery, primary, secondary or other learning institutions for persons under 18 years should cease operations.