Kenyan Government Initiates Comprehensive Vetting of Alcohol LicensesSamburu County Hosts Leadership Training for Anti-GBV Crusaders

NAIROBI, Kenya – In a significant move to curb illicit alcohol production and ensure public safety, the Kenyan government has formed a specialized multi-agency team dedicated to the stringent vetting of alcohol licenses and operations across the country.

According to Kenya News Agency, the vetting initiative began on Monday, involving key agencies such as the State Department for Internal Security, the Office of the Deputy President, Public Health and Professional Standards, Trade, Labour and Skills Development, and other pertinent authorities. The comprehensive verification process aims to enforce stringent measures, including the installation of quality control laboratories by manufacturers, rigorous scrutiny of raw materials and finished products, and strict product tracking systems from production to consumer.

Dr. Omollo announced that all licenses for so-called second-generation alcohol producers remain suspended during the nationwide vetting. This affects 35 companies whose licenses were either previously suspended, cancelled, or found to be inactive. The primary focus will be on spirit manufacturers, with 29 premises expected to undergo thorough examination.

Additionally, county security teams have been instructed to execute 25 directives issued by the Ministry, targeting the closure of all unlicensed production facilities and outlets within a ten-day timeframe. The enforcement actions extend to bars operating illegally in residential areas or near schools and those breaching operational hours, resulting in the closure of 6,931 establishments and confiscation of alcoholic products.

The initiative also encompasses evaluating the integrity and performance of local officers, with reviews already underway in counties such as Kiambu, Muranga, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Nyandarua, Nakuru, Machakos, and Meru. The Principal Secretary underscored the government’s commitment to addressing alcohol and drug abuse, recognizing them as significant threats to public safety and national security. He cited detrimental impacts including deaths from adulterated alcohol, decreased productivity, health issues, and the fueling of organized crime.

Dr. Omollo appealed to the public for cooperation in reporting illegal establishments and emphasized the continuous prohibition of Shisha, leading to the shutdown of 80 outlets. The crackdown also extends to the pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors, with 804 pharmacies and 761 agrovets closed for non-compliance.

The government has declared the fight against illicit alcohol, drugs, and substance abuse as a major national security concern, introducing 25 key directives to reinforce crackdowns, regulations, and enforcement measures throughout the supply and demand chain.

SAMBURU, Kenya – In a recent effort to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and address the impact of harmful cultural practices, the County Gender Sector Working Group and various stakeholders in Samburu County participated in a three-day leadership and coaching workshop. This initiative was jointly organized by the Kenya Finland Bilateral Program and Mbele consultancy, targeting members of the local community working directly with GBV issues.

According to Kenya News Agency, the Coordinator for the Kenya-Finland Bilateral Program, the training session was designed as part of a broader effort to strengthen prevention and response strategies against all forms of GBV in Samburu County. The program aims to provide participants with crucial leadership and management skills to enhance their effectiveness in combating GBV within the community. The workshop covered a range of topics, including decision-making, communication, and how to tackle challenges such as Female Genital Mutilation and child marriages.

Additionally, Lengopito highlighted that as part of the initiative, 30 members of the Nyumba Kumi, a community policing group, received specialized training at the Kenya School of Government. This training was intended to equip them with mediation skills and conflict management techniques, further supporting community-level interventions against GBV.

The program also addressed the urgent need for psychological support in the region, which has seen a rise in mental health issues due to rampant insecurity. To this end, 357 individuals from various sectors were trained and certified in counselling psychology, aiming to mitigate the shortage of professional psychologists in the county. These trained individuals are expected to provide critical psychological first aid and support to those affected by GBV and related traumas.

The County Gender Sector Working Group (CGSW) serves as a collaborative platform between national and county governments, aimed at coordinating gender-related initiatives and ensuring efficient utilization of resources to combat GBV. This framework also seeks to prevent the overlap of activities and eliminate non-genuine organizations, promoting a unified and effective approach to addressing gender issues in Samburu County.