State to shut down 115 alcohol manufacturers

The Government will shut down over 100 alcohol-manufacturing firms for failing to adhere to regulations.

As part of recommendations of the inspection report, 115 manufacturing firms have been marked for closure. The report was written by a task force put together by the Interior ministry to scrutinise 177 alcohol manufacturers.

The firms are said to have been found operating without meeting statutory requirements. That is, either operating without licenses, or producing beverages that do not meet the threshold of the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs).

Speaking yesterday at the launch of the report, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery gave the nod for the regulatory agencies to withdraw licenses of the manufacturers.

According to the report, only 21 firms had complied with most of the stipulated requirements, with 41 not being able to be traced to their registered locations.

The firms are said to have neither given a notification of change of address, nor announced closure of their business.

 CANCELLED LICENCES

“I recommend that the licences of these firms be cancelled immediately,” ordered Mr Nkaissery.

However, the 21 firms who have complied with the requirements have been given 60 days within which they should address all the new areas that have been brought up.

“Clearance will be subject to tax compliance, and the outcome of the product sample test,” said Nkaissery.

He noted that production of alcohol without sufficient regulation had led to introduction of poisonous products and counterfeits into the market.

The report further recommends that manufacturers located in residential areas, or at least 300 meters from learning institutions be closed.

Those in residential areas and have a valid Change of User certificate are required to relocate to industrial zones within 90 days.

“All alcoholic drinks will be required to have the addresses of their manufacturers including their physical location, telephone number and emails indicated on their label,” the report reads.

The firms are expected to get the inspection results from November 23, with the task force required to develop and gazette a national standard for the manufacture of alcoholic drinks within 60 days.