Self-regulations on control of alcohol ready, says bar official

Two hundred and thirty committees have been formed in Murang’a to help regulate operations of liquor outlets to stop the spread of Covid-19.

The committees were formed by Murang’a County Bar Owners Association in readiness to re-open the business activities and observe the Ministry of Health protocols on Covid-19.

Chairman to the association Simon Njoroge Jogoo said that in each of the committees, one of the operators appointed the head of the unit will report those flouting the regulations imposed by the government.

There are 2,300 licensed bars in the county with majority being in Gatanga and Murang’a South sub-counties.

Speaking in Murang’a, Mr Jogoo appreciated efforts made by President Uhuru Kenyatta to protect local businesses through the partial opening of liquor outlets.

The official hinted that the association has drafted regulation measures that await to be approved by County Government Health and Sanitation Executive Mr Joseph Mbai.

“All the licensed bars should belong to an association to help them be monitored and those flouting the regulation shut to prevent the spread of the disease,” said Jogoo.

The official expressed disappointment on the return of the illicit brews in the villages following the closure of the outlets by the government, in efforts to stop the spread of the deadly virus.

“With self-regulation, we shall be able to use the nyumba kumi initiative to stamp out the illicit brews in the market, through use of the police,” he said.

The recommendations have been made with police tracking down bar operators contravening the regulations.  

On Monday, more than 17 people were arraigned in Murang’a court for flouting the rules.