100 arrested, 15 bars shut down in Eldoret alcohol crackdown

ELDORET: More than 100 people were yesterday morning arrested by police and officers from the County Alcoholic Drinks Control Board (CADCB) for drinking during restricted hours.

Eight bars along Oginga Odinga Street were closed and a proprietor of one supermarket arrested during the raid aimed at closing down all businesses illegally trading in the sale of liquor.

There were chaotic scenes in bars, some alleged to be hosting brothels, after the officers barricaded their entrances and exits and began arresting individuals some who were too drunk to escape.

County CADCB Director Armstrong Rono, who led the operation, said the crackdown on illicit brews has been ongoing for a month and will not stop until unscrupulous traders intoxicating mostly the youth are eliminated.

"This is an operation to flush out illegal businessmen who are selling alcohol without observing due constitutional procedures. It is not even midday and these young people are drunk, we cannot allow personal interests to kill the future of our society," he said.

Mr Rono said they have shut down 15 bars operating without licenscs and selling alcohol during restricted hours, after another major operation conducted last weekend where 70 people were arrested and charged in court.

"This situation has become such that even underage children have access to alcohol from uncaring traders. It cannot be allowed to go on," he said.