Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has issued an order for the immediate closure of all drinking joints in the county.
Expressing deep concern over the fraudulent system of license issuance to bar owners, Waiguru announced the suspension of operations for these establishments and initiated a comprehensive process to verify and vary their operational permits.
“We have reached our end. I want you to allow me and give me protection. Today I want to announce that all bars in the county have been closed, and a new process of verifying the licenses has begun. The county government has withdrawn all the licenses with immediate effect,” the governor stated.
Waiguru was speaking at the funeral of 17 people who died after consuming illicit liquor.
In the new verification process, she explained, those with ‘bad’ history will not be licensed to operate anywhere within the county.
“Kama kuna historia ya mtu yoyote amepelekwa kortini kwa kukosa kulipa license ama kuuza pombe haramu hautapata license Kirinyaga county to operate,” Waiguru stressed.
She said as leaders they will not sit and watch as a few individuals continue to enrich themselves at the expense of the lives of people.
Eleven County Employees at the Director and Chief level who own bars have been directed to choose their jobs or retain their business.
“You have a choice, you will either choose your bar or your job. If you own a bar you will not come to work. I have your names and we know which bars you run,” she said.
When he took to the podium to address mourners, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua assured Waiguru of the government’s full support.
He said the national government will protect her to ensure she succeeds.
“I want to announce here that you will get the support of the national government and the county security team,” he said.
This is as he appealed to the Judiciary to join the efforts by denying any relief measure to anyone who might rush to court to obtain orders once the license verification process begins.
The suspect who allegedly sold the poisonous brew according to the DP has been arrested and arraigned in court 16 times but given ‘unreasonable’ fines.
