Government shuts down 359 pharmacies, 452 agrovets in nationwide crackdown-cabinet told

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki. [File, Standard]

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has told a cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto that 359 pharmacies and 452 agro vets have been shut down since the nationwide crackdown began.

Weeks ago, CS Kindiki ordered a nationwide crackdown on illicit brew in the country.

In a communication shared to the public on Wednesday evening, the Cabinet endorsed measures taken by the Interior ministry in the fight against illegal brews and narcotics.

Further, it resolved that public officials opposing the move are violating the Constitution.

"The Cabinet resolved that any public officials who resist these measures against the fight against illicit brews and drugs will be violating Chapter Six of the Constitution and the laws on conflict of interest," the communique read.

"These include officials in the National Police Service, National Administration, Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards, public health and public prosecution, among others,"

According to Kindiki some 289,390 litres of illicit brew and 13,198 litres of counterfeit alcohol have been netted since the nationwide crackdown began.