We will fight brews to the end, vows Nkaissery

Gichugu MP Njogu Barua stands next to a fountain of illicit brew being pumped from an underground storage at a factory in Kutus town, as wananchi look on. [Photo: Munene Kamau/Standard]

A tough-talking Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery Monday visited Central Kenya to assess the progress of the four-day sting operation to get rid of illicit brews, where he said the campaign has no room for failure.

Mr Nkaissery made a whirlwind tour of the region beginning in Naivasha, then proceeding to Ol-Kalou, Nyeri Town and Thika as the deadline for the crackdown ended at midnight.

But as the CS was making the tour and despite President Uhuru Kenyatta's plea that the operation should be carried out in accordance with the law, some MPs continued destroying drinks, some of which have not been suspended by Kenya Bureau of Standards.

Some MPs reported progress on the operation, saying they had managed to destroy over 80 per cent of the toxic brews.

They are expected at State House this morning to report on the progress of the operation.

This came as Kenya Breweries Ltd (KBL), the largest manufacturer in country, warned that it would take legal action against the individual MPs who have led to the destruction of property and legitimate drinks despite the President's directive.

Revenue lost

In a statement issued by KBL Corporate Relations Director Eric Kiniti, the brewer says: “We regret that despite the President's directive, the destruction has continued. We have lost a significant amount of revenue as a result of that.

“We are calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the individuals involved. Those leading the operation should be ready to be held personally responsible for the destruction.”

But in his stop in Nyeri, the CS warned all security and local administrators that the war on second generation brews would continue even after the deadline, which lapsed at midnight.

Nkaissery was addressing chiefs and their assistants at Nyeri Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) Church hall in Nyamachaki.

“I am here to warn you that if any reports of illicit brews are reported in your area of jurisdiction you will be fired immediately and if any of you are working with the brewers or businessmen responsible for the sale of these brews you will face the full force of the law,” Nkaissery warned.

“All the officers from Kirinyaga, I am putting you on notice, you need to go into these factories and pour the alcohol. Do not destroy any property,” Nkaissery said.

However, raids within the county continued to be carried out on licensed business such as Farmlands Beer Distributors, which is one of the largest depots for East African Breweries Ltd products.

The CS promised the administrators motorbikes and allowances by September this year to assist in the fight against alcoholism.