Murang'a: Murang'a County has launched a 100-day Rapid Response Initiative (RRI) aimed at intensifying the crackdown on illegal liquor outlets, drug trafficking, and activities deemed to threaten public safety. Launching the initiative on Thursday in his office, Murang'a County Commissioner Hassan Bule said during the period from January 9 to April 10, a multi-agency team will work to restore order and protect residents from the effects of drug and alcohol abuse.
According to Kenya News Agency, the operation will bring together national government administrators, security agencies, the county government, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), and community leaders. The team has been tasked with enforcing strict regulations on the sale of alcohol and narcotics while also ensuring peace and stability ahead of the upcoming election period.
At the heart of the crackdown is a directive to close down all bars and liquor outlets operating within a 300-meter radius of learning institutions, regardless of whether they are licensed or not. Commissioner Bule highlighted that the presence of alcohol-selling outlets near schools has contributed to indiscipline, early exposure to drugs and alcohol, and declining academic performance among learners.
The administrator stressed the negative impact of drug and alcohol abuse on the economic welfare of families, draining household incomes and fueling crime, school dropouts, and domestic conflicts. Bule emphasized the need for strong families and productive citizens to confront this problem head-on.
In addition, all liquor licenses issued last year expired on December 31, and no bar or restaurant will be allowed to operate this year without undergoing a fresh and thorough inspection. Fresh licensing of bars will be conducted through a transparent process involving security officers, KEBS, NACADA, county government officials, and local community leaders to ensure compliant operators.
To control the mushrooming of alcohol outlets, the county will introduce limits on the number of bars licensed in each shopping center and market. Licensing committees will categorize applicants based on factors such as the size of the center, population, and proximity to schools, churches, and residential areas.
The multi-agency team will also intensify the fight against drug abuse, focusing on individuals and networks involved in the sale and trafficking of narcotics. Security agencies have been directed to gather intelligence and take firm action against dealers targeting young people and vulnerable families.
The crackdown will also target illicit and counterfeit brews, with NACADA and KEBS guiding enforcement teams in identifying unsafe alcohol products and ensuring licensed outlets meet health and safety standards. On security matters, the commissioner directed sub-county security committees to be on high alert and deal decisively with any gangs or individuals seeking to disrupt peace during the pre-election period.
Commissioner Bule urged all leaders and citizens to abide by the law and maintain peace, warning that any attempts to disrupt law and order will be dealt with firmly. The multi-agency operation is expected to run continuously, with authorities calling on residents to cooperate by reporting illegal outlets, drug dealers, and any activities that threaten peace and safety in their neighborhoods.